Tortoiseshell Comb from Japan

• country - Japan
• materials - tortoiseshell, black lacquer, Togidashi maki-e
• object - comb
• object date - early 19th Century
• source - Kajetan Fiedorowicz

This tortoiseshell, late Edo era comb has been painted with black lacquer. The artist uses Togidashi maki-e to create an image of flowers on the edge of a lake. Its reflection can be seen on the comb’s tines. Both sides are identical, and the comb is 11 cm wide and 3 mm thick. For reference, maki-e refers to lacquer sprinkled with gold or silver powder, using special brushes. Togidashi refers to maki-e to which a black lacquer without oil is applied on the metal powder.