Clam Shells Decorated with Scenes of a Tale
Original Language Title貝合わせ
CultureJapanese
Dateearly 19th century
MediumInk and colors on gold paper on clam shell
DimensionsOverall: 7/8 x 3 3/4 x 2 7/8 inches (2.21 x 9.53 x 7.29 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Robert S. Hardie in memory of his wife, Mayte B. Hardie
Object numberF93-10/2 D
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionOne of fifty clam shells. The shells are slightly smaller than a human palm, decorated with paintings on gold paper pasted to the iridescent inside surface. The top and bottom portions of the paper of each shell is embossed with hexagonal patterns. The images in the middle are mostly interior scenes with figures in bright Japanese costume. Men appear in rigid court robes. Women's long black hair streams down their backs. The paintings are peeling off at the edge. The shells were formerly stored in two gridded wooden boxes, 25 in each.Gallery LabelA set of painted shells like these made a suitable wedding gift because the two halves of a clamshell match only with each other. Each pair is painted with identical images of well-known tales. In a traditional game created by aristocrats during the Heian period (794–1185 c.E.), the pairs were separated into two groups. The shells from one group were placed on the floor with the painted side down, and the goal was to pair each shell with its mate in the other group. Paired shells like this remain a symbol of good marriage today.
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