Gold ornament in the form of a wild goose on reeds

Object Details

• Artist

  Kono Haruaki 河野春明 (1787-1859)

• Label

  Objects made of gold are uncommon in Japan, where other symbols of prestige and value, such as calligraphy or ceramic tea bowls, often took precedence. During the Edo period (1615-1868), the government regulated the display of wealth. Gold objects became the privilege of the uppermost social classes or the secret treasures of wealthy merchants. This gold goose sleeping on reeds reflects the Japanese taste for naturalistic representation. The ornament may have been displayed in the tokonoma or used as a luxurious paper weight on a writing desk. The fine workmanship reflects the artistry of its creator, a prominent maker of sword fittings.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Moonlight and Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan (November 11, 2008 to November 11, 2009)

  Gold: The Asian Touch (September 10, 2005 to February 20, 2006)

  Japanese Ukiyo-e Painting (May 2, 1973 to July 1, 1974)

  Japanese Art, Galleries 3, 4, and 5 (January 1, 1963 to September 16, 1970)

  Ukiyo-e Exhibition (August 7, 1961 to January 1, 1963)

  Hokusai Bicentennial Exhibition (March 30, 1960 to August 16, 1961)

• Origin

  Tokyo, Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Sculpture

• 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.

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• Related Resources

  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, 1850s, 1680s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Kono, Haruaki

• Place

  Tokyo, Japan

• Topic

  Repoussé, Hammering, Gold, Art, Sculpture, Goose, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Chasing, Engraving (incising), Metal-work

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Sculpture