Hanging vase in the shape of a fan

Object Details

• Description

  Hanging flower vase in the shape of a fan. Broken and repaired. Metal ring on back.

  Clay: medium stoneware fired reddish brown.

  Glaze: thick gray with fine crackle.

  Decoration: white slip spots under glaze.

• Label

  The potter skillfully used clay to replicate the appearance of a fan made of heavy paper decorated with squares of gold leaf and mounted on wooden ribs. Performers in a No drama would have carried such a paper fan. During the Edo period (1615-1868), warrior rulers (daimyo) sponsored professional No troupes within their domains and also studied No chanting and dancing as a pastime. This fan-shaped vase was made at the Yatsushiro kilns, which operated in the domain of a daimyo in western Japan. It would have hung in a place of honor: the display alcove of a reception room in the daimyo residence.

• 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. 946, 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

  Korean Style in Japanese Ceramics (August 23, 2013 to February 9, 2014)

  Cornucopia: Ceramics of Southern Japan (December 19, 2009 to January 9, 2011)

  Games, Contests and Artful Play in Japan (March 19 to October 23, 2005)

  Korean Influences on Japanese Slip-Decorated Ceramics (February 16, 1984 to November 9, 1984)

  Fans (May 18, 1980 to October 13, 1981)

  Japanese Ceramics (April 11, 1978 to January 17, 1980)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Kumamoto prefecture, Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Bing, Siegfried, Freer, Charles Lang

• Place

  Japan, Kumamoto prefecture

• Topic

  Fans, Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Inlay (process), Stoneware, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Ceramics, Flowers, Yatsushiro ware

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)