Porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 10.5 x 10.8 x 10.8 cm (4 1/8 x 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 in)
Type:
Vessel
Origin:
Kyoto, Japan
Date:
ca. 1893-1899
Period:
Meiji era
Description:
Ginger jar with domed cover, decorated with branches of prunus blossoms and buds. A small version of the classic "ginger jar" shape, with flattened shoulders and globular body tapering into a small foot and narrow footrim. Domed cover fits over an upright neck.
Clay: Porcelain; footrim slightly chipped and darkened on surface by use.
Glaze: Colorless glaze evenly applied to exterior, interior and foot; unglazed footrim.
Decoration: In blue (cobalt) pigment under the glaze. Below a "comb" pattern circling the base of the neck, the body is decorated with prunus blossoms and buds on branches, set against a ground of cobalt wash. Domed cover also ornamented with blossoming prunus set against blue wash ground.
Mark: none.
Provenance:
To ?
Charles M. Kurtz (1855-1909). [1]
To 1991
Isabel S. Kurtz (1901-1991). [2]
From 1991
Freer Gallery of Art, bequest of Isabel S. Kurtz (1901-1991). [3]
Notes:
[1] Ms. Isabel Kurtz bequeathed the group of Asian ceramics, F1991.19-.44, to the Freer Gallery of Art.
These objects had been collected by her father, Charles M. Kurtz, who was a friend of Charles Freer.
Also see Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.
[2] See note 1. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.
