Tea bowl named "Ubatama" (Black Berry), unknown Raku ware workshop

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 3
IIIF

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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    19th century
  • Geography

    Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
  • Material

    Earthenware with Black Raku glaze
  • Dimension

    H x Diam: 9.2 × 10.8 cm (3 5/8 × 4 1/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1898.437a-b
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1898.437a-b

Object Details

  • Artist

    Style of Hon'ami Koetsu 本阿弥光悦 (1558-1637)
  • Description

    Black Raku cylindrical tea bowl, named "Ubatama." Raku ware, unknown kiln. Koetsu, Hon'ami, attributed to
    Clay: soft, buff. Raku type.
    Glaze: brilliant black; metallic iridescence. Black Raku glaze. Three spur marks and flattened areas on glazed foot.
  • Provenance

    To 1898
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1898 [1]
    From 1898 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1898 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] Undated folder sheet note. See Original Pottery List, L. 433, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [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.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea (December 9, 2023 - ongoing)
    The Tea Ceremony in Japan X (April 3 to November 28, 1999)
    Boxed In: Japanese Ceramics and Their Storage Boxes (September 23, 1982 to February 17, 1983)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Origin

    Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Vessel
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 20a: Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea
  • Restrictions and Rights

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