Washington, D.C. is about to shine a little brighter! The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has just announced “Adorned in Gold: Japanese Lacquer from the Jacqueline Avant Collection,” a stunning new exhibition opening Saturday, November 21, on the National Mall.
The exhibition celebrates the art of Japanese lacquerware, featuring dazzling gold-powder designs on deep, dark lacquer surfaces. Visitors will discover how these exquisite works — created with the refined maki-e technique of sprinkling gold and silver powders onto layers of lacquer — became treasured symbols of beauty in Japanese literature and fashion across the centuries.
The pieces come from the remarkable collection of Jacqueline Avant, a passionate collector who fell in love with the elegant black-and-gold aesthetic of Japanese lacquer. Her collection now belongs to the museum, and this exhibition honors her legacy while inviting everyone to admire the patience and skill behind every golden detail.
The show is part of the museum’s celebration of great American women collectors in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday — a perfect reason to plan a visit. As always, admission to the museum is free, so bring the whole family and let the golden cranes and shimmering waves carry you to Japan.
Photo: Smithsonian
