Box with Design of Maple Tree and Deer 19th century

This is a lidded box with a design of a maple tree and deer made by Ogata Kōrin, sometime before 1716, from Japan. Kōrin’s objects reflect a refined culture in the ascendant during the Edo period. The box is decorated with deer and maple leaves, references to autumn. Note the luxurious use of gold lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay. The deer is composed of shell fragments, reflecting light to catch the eye. Kōrin was known for his bold designs and the skilled craftsmanship of his works. He was not only an artist but also a designer for the aristocratic and wealthy merchant classes of Kyoto. The Rinpa school, to which Kōrin belonged, moved art away from the formal, academic styles favored by the military government, back to themes inspired by classical Japanese literature and nature. By consulting historical records, we can understand how art like this small box played a part in shaping cultural identity and expressing social status in early modern Japan.