Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2012
The Acquisitions
David and Roberta Logie Department of Textile and Fashion Arts: July 2011–June 2012
Minaudiere
about 2011
Designed for Tiffany & Co.
Designed by Elsa Peretti
Watanabe Chikusei
Overall: 16.5 x 14 x 5.5 cm (6 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 3/16 in.)
Silver, lacquered bamboo, plain-weave fabric, and silk
Classification: Jewelry / Adornment
Culture: American
Accession number: 2012.62
Description: This rectangular bag is made of woven bamboo using a pattern found on traditional Japanese baskets. The snap closure is sterling silver as are the two handles on the short sides. Suspended from one handle is a braided, black silk tassle. The interior is lined with black, plain weave cloth. Made in Japan for Tiffany & Co. The basketmaker is Watanabe (born 1932), a distinguished Japanese bamboo artist with a considerable reputation in Japan. His artist's name, Chikusei, means 'bamboo purity'. The platinum lacquer was added by Noburo Itsuaki. The assembly of the bags, i.e., the adding of the silk, was done by the Nakao-so Studio, Kyoto.
Provenance/Ownership History: 2011, purchased from TIffany and Co. by an anonymous donor; 2012, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession date: February 29, 2012)
Anonymous gift