Kenzan-style Black Raku water jar with design of gibbons and bamboo

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    late 19th century
  • Geography

    Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
  • Material

    Clay; black and transparent lead glazes; lacquered wooden lid
  • Dimension

    H x Diam: 23.3 × 13.3 cm (9 3/16 × 5 1/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1901.61a-b
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1901.61a-b

Object Details

  • Artist

    Imitation of Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743)
    Kyoto workshop
  • Description

    Clay: Raku earthenware.
    Glaze: brilliant black; orange-skin surface.
    Decoration: incised into glaze; monkeys and bamboo.
  • Signatures

    Kenzan, written in white slip on base.
  • Provenance

    To 1901
    Siegfried Bing (1838-1905), Paris, to 1901 [1]
    From 1901 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Siegfried Bing, Paris in 1901
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See Original Pottery List, L. 940, 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

    The Peacock Room Comes to America [2022] (September 3, 2022 - ongoing)
    The Peacock Room Comes to America [2017-2019] (October 14, 2017 to January 2, 2019)
    The Peacock Room Comes to America [2011-2016] (April 9, 2011 to January 4, 2016)
    The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics (December 9, 2001 to October 27, 2002)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) (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 12: The Peacock Room Comes to America
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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