Vase with design of dragons chasing flaming jewel

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 1
IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    19th century
  • Geography

    Tsuboya kilns, Naha, Okinawa prefecture, Japan
  • Material

    Stoneware with white slip and cobalt pigment under clear glaze
  • Dimension

    H x Diam: 27 × 13.9 cm (10 5/8 × 5 1/2 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1899.8a-b
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1899.8a-b

Object Details

  • Description

    Cylindrical vase.
    Clay: hard, dense, gray.
    Glaze: clear glaze, slightly yellowish over white slip on exterior. Glaze alone on interior.
    Decoration: incised through slip into body. Accented with pale, blue-gray cobalt. Pair of dragons, flaming jewel, auspicious clouds.
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Yamanaka and Co. 山中商会 (1917-1965) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Provenance

    ?-1899
    Yamanaka & Company, New York, method of acquisition unknown [1]
    1899-1919
    Charles Lang Freer, purchased from Yamanaka & Company [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See invoice from Yamanaka & Co., New York to Mr. Chars. L. Freer, March 6, 1899. The work is identified as "B 6083: 1 Satsuma Vase, gray & pale blue dragon & clouds." Copy in object file.
    [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.
    Research completed November 18, 2022.
  • Origin

    Tsuboya kilns, Naha, Okinawa prefecture, Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Vessel
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 12: The Peacock Room Comes to America
  • 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