1991.2.FA Saddle | DMA Staging Content Management System

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The saddle consists of four pieces of lacquered wood tied together. It was probably created as a presentation piece and not intended for use. The primary decoration is a pattern of small brocade bags with drawstring tops, the elegant fukuro that are used to hold containers of powdered tea for the tea ceremony. The textile patterns of the bags, created with inlays of gold and silver sheet metal and mother-of-pearl, exhibit a variety of geometric and floral patterns that were typical of the rich textiles made during the late Momoyama (1568-1600 CE) and early Edo (1600-1868 CE) periods.

The making of high-quality objects in the difficult lacquer technique can take months to years to complete. Raw lacquer is thinly applied to a prepared surface and hardens in an atmosphere of high humidity. Once it has set, the lacquer must be polished, usually with water and pieces of soft stone or charcoal. Layer upon layer is applied until the proper surface has been created. The decorative technique used to create this magnificent ceremonial saddle is a traditional Japanese method called maki-e, meaning "sprinkled design." The composition was first drawn in moist lacquer, then metal powders or flakes were sprinkled over the drawing before the surface hardened. To achieve different tones and textures in decoration, the artist varied the kinds of powder or flakes he applied.

Adapted from

"Saddle," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Suzanne Kotz (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1997), 44.

NOTES

Catalogue essays

Foundation for the Arts

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

Historical periods

Edo period (1600-1868)

Individuals

Subject terms

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RULES

apply to objects where number equals 1991.2.FA

General Description

The saddle consists of four pieces of lacquered wood tied together. It was probably created as a presentation piece and not intended for use. The primary decoration is a pattern of small brocade bags with drawstring tops, the elegant fukuro that are used to hold containers of powdered tea for the tea ceremony. The textile patterns of the bags, created with inlays of gold and silver sheet metal and mother-of-pearl, exhibit a variety of geometric and floral patterns that were typical of the rich textiles made during the late Momoyama (1568-1600 CE) and early Edo (1600-1868 CE) periods.

The making of high-quality objects in the difficult lacquer technique can take months to years to complete. Raw lacquer is thinly applied to a prepared surface and hardens in an atmosphere of high humidity. Once it has set, the lacquer must be polished, usually with water and pieces of soft stone or charcoal. Layer upon layer is applied until the proper surface has been created. The decorative technique used to create this magnificent ceremonial saddle is a traditional Japanese method called maki-e, meaning "sprinkled design." The composition was first drawn in moist lacquer, then metal powders or flakes were sprinkled over the drawing before the surface hardened. To achieve different tones and textures in decoration, the artist varied the kinds of powder or flakes he applied.