Cloisonne-on-porcelain tea cannister with double lid, Seto ware and Nagoya workshop, one of a pair with F1984.33a-c

One of a pair of cloisonne-on-porcelain tea cannisters with double lids. The jars are modeled after Chinese pewter storage jars for loose-leaf tea, with porcelain inner lids covered by cap-shaped outer lids.

Clay: Porcelain (Seto).

Glaze: Clear glaze on interior of vessel and inside foot rim; neck and foot rim unglazed (foot rim appears to have been ground down); outer lid partially glazed on inside, with rim and edge left bare; inner lid glazed except on rim and edge.

Decoration: Underglaze (artificial?) cobalt and overglaze gold enamel decorations on inner lid. Outside of jar and outer lid covered by opaque multicolor cloisonne enamels on olive-green ground, with silver and brass cloisons, except for band of black lacquer at foot having stenciled gold decor.

Mark: Inscribed in red overglaze enamel on base “Dai Nippon/Kaiyosha/kojin Takenouchi” (Japan, Kaiyosha, craftsman Takenouchi).

Maker(s)
Artist: Takenouchi Chubei
Historical period(s)
Meiji era, 1875-1880
Medium
Porcelain with cobalt pigment under clear glaze, enamel over glaze, cloisonne, and lacquer
Style
Seto ware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 28.5 x 20.7 x 20.7 cm (11 1/4 x 8 1/8 x 8 1/8 in)
Geography
Japan, Aichi prefecture, Seto and Nagoya
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.33a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Tea-leaf jar (sencha tsubo)

Keywords
cobalt pigment, Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), porcelain, Seto ware, tea
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

One of a pair of cloisonne-on-porcelain tea cannisters with double lids. The jars are modeled after Chinese pewter storage jars for loose-leaf tea, with porcelain inner lids covered by cap-shaped outer lids.

Clay: Porcelain (Seto).

Glaze: Clear glaze on interior of vessel and inside foot rim; neck and foot rim unglazed (foot rim appears to have been ground down); outer lid partially glazed on inside, with rim and edge left bare; inner lid glazed except on rim and edge.

Decoration: Underglaze (artificial?) cobalt and overglaze gold enamel decorations on inner lid. Outside of jar and outer lid covered by opaque multicolor cloisonne enamels on olive-green ground, with silver and brass cloisons, except for band of black lacquer at foot having stenciled gold decor.

Mark: Inscribed in red overglaze enamel on base "Dai Nippon/Kaiyosha/kojin Takenouchi" (Japan, Kaiyosha, craftsman Takenouchi).

Inscription(s)

Inscribed in red overglaze enamel on base "Dai Nippon/Kaiyosha/kojin Takenouchi" (Japan, Kaiyosha, craftsman Takenouchi).

Published References
  • Louise Allison Cort. Seto and Mino Ceramics. Washington and Honolulu, 1992. cat. 125, p. 48.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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