Collection record · Everyday wonders
Writing Table with Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
The collection record classifies this work as lacquer. It is dated 1400s. Recorded culture or place: Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573).
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Writing Table with Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
- Date
- 1400s
- Culture / origin
- Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573)
- Materials and technique
- Lacquered wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e) and metal fittings
- Dimensions
- height: 10.2 cm (4 in.); width: 58.4 cm (23 in.); depth: 36.9 cm (14 1/2 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1958.429
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Low writing tables like this one were developed for use by those seated on the floor. They often had matching writing boxes. The table features the classic design of pine, bamboo, and plum, known together as the Three Friends of Winter. Indicating resilience in the face of harsh conditions, pine is evergreen, bamboo bends but does not break, and plum is the first flower to bloom in early spring. The plants are a metaphor for strength of character.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Edward L. Whittemore Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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