Vase

White clay. Decoration of bands of incised geometric motifs from neck to below shoulder. Large square seal “Rakurakuen-sei” (product of Rakurakuen), in seal script, on base. Deep purple, lead-based enamel glaze. Thin purple glaze on base and inside neck. Traces of green lead glaze adhering to feet. Inside unglazed.

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1840-1860
Medium
White clay with purple lead-silicate glaze
Style
Rakurakuen ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 19.7 × 12.7 cm (7 3/4 × 5 in)
Geography
Japan, Tokyo
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1898.485
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, Rakurakuen ware, tea
Provenance

To 1898
Yamanaka & Company, to 1898 [1]

From 1898 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Yamanaka & Company in 1898 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 74, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. The majority of Charles Lang Freer’s purchases from Yamanaka & Company were made at its New York branch. Yamanaka & Company maintained branch offices, at various times, in Boston, Chicago, London, Peking, Shanghai, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. During the summer, the company also maintained seasonal locations in Newport, Bar Harbor, and Atlantic City.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Yamanaka and Co. (C.L. Freer source) 1917-1965

Description

White clay. Decoration of bands of incised geometric motifs from neck to below shoulder. Large square seal "Rakurakuen-sei" (product of Rakurakuen), in seal script, on base. Deep purple, lead-based enamel glaze. Thin purple glaze on base and inside neck. Traces of green lead glaze adhering to feet. Inside unglazed.

Marking(s)

Large square seal "Rakurakuen-sei" (product of Rakurakuen), in seal script, inside square frame, on base.

Published References
  • Louise Allison Cort. Seto and Mino Ceramics. Washington and Honolulu, 1992. p. 165, no. 83.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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