Kakiemon model of an immortal on a turtle

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    late 17th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Porcelain with enamels over clear colorless glaze
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 12.1 × 18.4 × 14 cm (4 3/4 × 7 1/4 × 5 1/2 in)
  • Accession Number

    S2023.10.1
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S2023.10.1

Object Details

  • Provenance

    Late 17th century - 2011
    Thirlestane Castle, Scotland [1]
    2011
    Sale, Chrsitie's, London, United Kingdom [2]
    2011
    Sebastian Izzard LLC, New York, NY, purchased from Christie’s, London, United Kingdom [3]
    2012-2023
    Somlyo Collection, Charlottesville, VA, purchased from Sebastian Izzard LLC, New York, NY [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See catalog entry in Hinton, Mark, Kuniko Matsui and Anastasia von Seibold, Courtly Display: The Somlyo Collection of Japanese Ceramics (London: Christie’s, 2015), 22.
    [2] See export invoice from Christie’s London from May 11, 2011 for “A Rare Kakiemon Model of an Immortal on a Tortoise Edo Period (1660-1670).”
    [3] See note 2.
    [4] Drs. Avril and Andrew Somlyo began collecting Japanese porcelain in 1970. According to Dr. Avril Somlyo’s documents, this was purchased on March 19, 2012 from Sebastian Izzard of Sebastian Izzard LLC, New York, NY.
    [4] See Note 1.
    Research updated October 4, 2024
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Courtly Display: The Somlyo Collection of Japanese Ceramics (December 12-19, 2015)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Thirlestane Castle
    Christie's (London)
    Sebastian Izzard Asian Art LLC
    Dr. Avril V. Somlyo
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Drs. Avril and Andrew Somlyo
  • 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.

    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