Mazarin chest: Decoration techniques

Mazarin Chest decoration techniques - Fusezaishiki

Decoration technique: Fusezaishiki

The eyes of the dragons and phoenixes on the ogival cartouches of the lid are executed in a technique known as fusezaishiki, the main feature of which is the use of a glass-like bead. Black lacquer, red lacquer and silver maki-e were applied to the back of this to depict the detailed features of the eye, and were then covered with silver foil.

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Maki-e and tsukegaki

Decoration techniques: Maki-e and tsukegaki

Translated directly, maki-e means 'sprinkled picture'. Maki-e involves the application of urushi followed by the sprinkling on of metal powders to make a design. In this example, the patterned robes of the figures in the boat have been created using tsukegaki, a technique whereby fine maki-e lines are drawn on top of a maki-e background. Facial features have been skilfully picked out in black and red lacquer.

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Takamaki-e and kirikane

Decoration techniques: Takamaki-e and kirikane

In the case of the Mazarin Chest, many variations of the basic maki-e technique have been used. Takamaki-e, or 'raised sprinkled picture', decoration has been used to create this tree-trunk. The design is built up and modelled in low relief using a mixture of urushi and fine clay. Small pieces of gold and silver foil known as kirikane (literally 'cut metal') can also be seen. The silver kirikane has suffered from the effects of raised relative humidity and pollutants, and the corrosion products that have formed as a result have 'crept' out over adjacent gold surfaces.

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Raden, hyomon and kanagai

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Raden, hyomon and kanagai

The borders on the exterior of the Mazarin Chest are decorated with a combination of  maki-e, raden (shell inlay), and metal foil techniques (hyomon and kanagai).  These are techniques in which silver, gold or tin foil are cut to shape and fixed to the surface. The term hyomon describes the use of thick foil, whilst kanagai refers to the use of thinner foil. The Mazarin Chest has metal foil decoration applied in several different ways.

The traditional method whereby metal foil previously cut to shape is applied to a flat urushi surface has been used for the wheel roundels of the border. A novel technique with no known precedent was used for the gold foil checkering and silver foil fret pattern of the border. Strips of gold or silver foil were applied over the urushi surface, the adhesive allowed to dry, and then patterns cut out of the foil.

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Marusen, ginbyo and hikkaki

Decoration techniques: Marusen, ginbyo and hikkaki

Small strips of twisted and round gold and silver wire have been used for the railings and other details of the buildings (a single strip of twisted round wire is called marusen). Silver metal sheet has been cut to shape for the roof ridge. Small silver rivets (ginbyo) on the pine branches represent dew. A technique known as hikkaki, meaning 'to scratch away', has been used on the windows.

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Chokin

Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Chokin

The applied deer, wild boar and birds were created by beating out the shape of the animal from thin copper sheet, chasing fine-line details and then gilding. This technique is called chokin.

The Mazarin Chest: Metal mounts

Metal mounts

The corner mounts and lock-plate are made of gilded copper partially coloured with black sumi ink.