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Portrait of a Warrior
Japanese, Momoyama period (1573-1615), late
16th
century
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Image: 473/4X33'A in. (121.4
x 85.2 cm)
Purchase, 2003 Benefit Fund, 2004
2004.309
Here a handsome, samurai is
middle-aged
depicted in a lively, fleeting
moment as he
grasps the end of his long beard. His eyes
seem to twinkle with mischievous
He
is seated
cross-legged
The warrior wears a sumptuous-looking
on
pleasure.
a tatami mat.
kimono under an overvest that bears two
family
black
crests
diamond
of wild
shapes.
oranges
shown
against
The same crest deco
rates his trousers. His socks, buff with brown
stripes, may be leather. As was the custom,
Comb
Chinese, Eastern Han
Jade (nephrite) with gold
H. 2 in. (5.1 cm)
dynasty (25-220)
Purchase, The Rosenkranz Foundation
and Shelby White Gifts, 2004
2004.322
This
exquisite
comb
the late Eastern Han
is a rare
jades
example
that combine
Chinese and Western elements. Made of
among
white
nephrite,
it has the conventional form
of rounded back and straight, pointed teeth.
While
the band of incised lozenges above the
teeth is typical
of decorative motifs seen on
contemporary lacquer, bronzes, and textiles,
the filigree and granulation
on the gold
mount reflect the influence of West Asian
metalwork.
design
imported
traditional
Most
significant
is the floral
in the center of the comb, which is an
decorative element executed in the
openwork
technique.
A major
addition to the Museum's collec
tion, this beautifully crafted comb will be a
delightful exhibit in the gallery and will pro
vide
important
visual evidence for
early
con
tact between China and the West. zjs
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