Kenzan-style Red Raku incense container with design of plum

Incense box (kogo)
Clay: Raku-type earthenware
Glaze: box: soapstone brown, with pinkish and grayish areas; cover: red, with thin whitish overflow
Decoration: in white slip and iron pigment, under glaze. Branch of blossoming white plum (yariume).

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Maker(s)
Artist: Style of Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) Possibly Miura Ken'ya (1821-1889)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, mid-19th century
Medium
Earthenware with red and white slips, iron pigment, and enamels under clear lead glaze
Style
Raku ware, unknown workshop
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3.2 x 6.6 x 5 cm (1 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 1 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1901.118a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Container
Type

Incense box (kogo)

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), incense, Japan, Raku ware
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 [3]

Notes:

[1] Undated folder sheet note. See Original Pottery List, L. 1006, 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

Incense box (kogo)
Clay: Raku-type earthenware
Glaze: box: soapstone brown, with pinkish and grayish areas; cover: red, with thin whitish overflow
Decoration: in white slip and iron pigment, under glaze. Branch of blossoming white plum (yariume).

Inscription(s)

Inscription

Published References
  • Richard L. Wilson. The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 76, p. 166.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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