Case (Inrō) with Design of Caparisoned Elephant (obverse); Characters in Panel (reverse) 18th - 19th century

This Inrō case, made by Fangshi Mopu, presents us with two distinct yet harmonious designs across its obverse and reverse. The dark, lustrous lacquer immediately draws the eye, creating a canvas where intricate details emerge. On one side, we see an elephant, richly adorned, its form meticulously rendered. The textures and patterns adorning the animal are not merely decorative; they serve as a semiotic code. The elephant, often a symbol of strength and wisdom, takes on new layers of meaning when presented in such a decorative, almost ceremonial manner. The reverse features calligraphic characters within a decorative panel. The lines and shapes form a structural contrast to the representational imagery of the elephant. This opposition suggests a broader cultural dialogue between text and image. The entire piece challenges our expectations of surface and depth. Its aesthetic appeal lies not only in its craftsmanship but in its invitation to decode cultural and philosophical meanings.