Sutra chest 18th century

This 18th-century *Sutra chest* was crafted by the renowned Japanese lacquer artist Mochizuki Hanzan (1743-1790). The chest, which is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a fine example of *Japanese lacquerwork*. The chest is decorated with intricate *inlays* of mother-of-pearl and gold, depicting lotus flowers and leaves. These motifs are symbolic of purity and enlightenment, reflecting the sacred nature of the Buddhist texts that would have been kept inside. The chest’s four legs are stylized into *animal-like forms* and enhance the overall elegance of the piece.