Netsuke in form of miniature jar with emerging octopus

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    18th-early 19th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Lacquer and glazed ceramic
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 3.5 x 3.2 x 2.6 cm (1 3/8 x 1 1/4 x 1 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1899.32.1
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1899.32.1

Object Details

  • Artist

    Style of Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747)
  • Description

    Netsuke in form of miniature jar with emerging octopus. Silk cord. Stored in lacquered wood box with gold maki-e decoration. Jar and octopus of pottery. Octopus glazed. Jar decorated with colored lacquer in brown, green, yellow, gold. Seal: "Kan" impressed on base.
  • Marks

    Seal: "Kan" impressed on base.
  • Provenance

    To 1899
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1899 [1]
    From 1899 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1899 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] Undated folder sheet note, Object file. Also see Original Pottery List, L. 289, 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

    Japanese Lacquer (18 May 1980 to 15 June 1980)
    Japanese Lacquer (April 16, 1979 to October 8, 1980)
    Untitled Exhibition, North Corridor (November 20, 1969 to December 11, 1984)
  • Previous custodian or owner

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

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Costume Accessory
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring