Sutra Box, anonymous, c. 1200 - c. 1400
wood, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, silver, h 34cm × w 49.5cm × d 27.5cm More details
This box was used for storing sutras, Buddhist scriptures. Such boxes were made in court workshops. The whole surface is covered with mother-of-pearl and copper-wire inlay. However, the decoration of the lower section differs from the rest, suggesting that the box was repaired and enlarged. This may have been done in Japan, where the box was purchased in the early 20th century.
