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Picnic set with design of four seasonal flowers and Chinese children at play
Picnic set with design of four seasonal flowers and Chinese children at play

Picnic set with design of four seasonal flowers and Chinese children at play

Place of OriginJapan
DateApprox. 1800 - 1868
PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)
MaterialsLacquer and gold on wood
DimensionsOverall: H. 12 11/16 in × W. 13 1/4 in × D. 7 3/8 in (32.2 cm × 33.7 cm × 18.7 cm)
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60M156.a-.n
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsDecorative Arts
On View
Not on view
More Information

Lacquered picnic sets were popular household items during the Edo period (1615–1868). Townspeople used them for seasonal outings, lunch during Kabuki performances, and other festive occasions. A standard picnic set consists of a case topped with a metal handle, tiered boxes for foods, a tray, four or five small serving dishes, and a sake container. Often the sake container was of a different material—such as porcelain or pewter—but in this set, a rectangular lacquered wooden container for sake is specially fitted to the case.

The set is covered on all visible surfaces with lacquer and fine sprinkled gold powders and flakes (makie). It is decorated with the designs of flowers of the four seasons and of Chinese children playing in the snow, making this picnic set appropriate for year-round use.

Subject
  • flower
  • spring
  • summer
  • Fall
  • winter
  • children
  • play
  • Chinese