Tea-ceremony water jar with matching lid in imitation of Hon’ami Koetsu, unknown Raku ware workshop

Tea ceremony water jar with matching lid (tomobuta mizushashi [Jpn]). Repaired with gold lacquer. Other mends.
Clay: soft, red, Raku type. Unglazed on interior.
Glaze: Clear glaze.
Decoration: impressed and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (in poor condition) and metal: deer and maple leaves.
Seal: “Koetsu” carved onto wall, in seal script inside rectangular frame.

Maker(s)
Artist: False signature of Hon'ami Kōetsu 本阿弥光悦 (1558-1637)
Historical period(s)
Edo period or Meiji era, 19th century
Medium
Earthenware with Red Raku glaze, mother-of-pearl and metal inlay; gold lacquer repairs
Style
Raku ware, unknown workshop
Dimensions
H x Diam: 18 × 17.6 cm (7 1/16 × 6 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Tokyo
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1901.111a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Tea ceremony water jar (tomobuta mizusashi)

Keywords
deer, earthenware, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), Raku ware, tea, water
Provenance

To 1901
Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1901 [1]

From 1901 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1901 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [2]

Notes:

[1] See Pottery List, L. 995, 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.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Bunkio Matsuki (C.L. Freer source) 1867-1940

Description

Tea ceremony water jar with matching lid (tomobuta mizushashi [Jpn]). Repaired with gold lacquer. Other mends.
Clay: soft, red, Raku type. Unglazed on interior.
Glaze: Clear glaze.
Decoration: impressed and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (in poor condition) and metal: deer and maple leaves.
Seal: "Koetsu" carved onto wall, in seal script inside rectangular frame.

Marking(s)

Seal: "Koetsu" carved onto wall, in seal script inside rectangular frame.

Published References
  • , no. 39 Lexington, Massachusetts, 2018. .
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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