Black Raku incense burner in “melon” shape

Melon-shaped incense burner. Pottery cover with bird finial.
Clay: earthenware
Glaze: Black Raku style. Reddish areas on shoulder and lid.
Decoration: incised in glaze, revealing paste reserve. Melon leaves and tendrils.

Maker(s)
Artist: Imitation of Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) Kyoto workshop
Historical period(s)
Meiji era, 19th century
Medium
Buff clay; black lead glaze, copper-red glaze accent
Style
Raku ware, unknown workshop
Dimensions
H x W: 9.7 x 9.7 cm (3 13/16 x 3 13/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Kyoto prefecture, Kyoto
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1907.524a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Incense burner

Keywords
bird, incense, Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), Raku ware
Provenance

To 1907
Kita Toranosuke, Kyoto, to 1907 [1]

From 1907 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Kita Toranosuke in Kyoto in 1907 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L.1537, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Charles Lang Freer's 1907 pocket diary shows that he visited Kita's store in Kyoto on June 17, after arriving in the city on June 15 (according to Curatorial Remark 7, Louise Cort, August 17, 2010, in th eobject record).

[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)

Kita Toranosuke (C.L. Freer source)
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

Melon-shaped incense burner. Pottery cover with bird finial.
Clay: earthenware
Glaze: Black Raku style. Reddish areas on shoulder and lid.
Decoration: incised in glaze, revealing paste reserve. Melon leaves and tendrils.

Published References
  • Richard L. Wilson. The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 80, p. 170.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. 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 Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use