Figure of a woman

Figure of a standing lady. Molded, with slightly open mouth and a hole under the loop at the back of the coiffure. Flat, closed, textile-marked base.
Clay: fine white porcelain.
Glaze: smooth, clear porcelain glaze.
Decoration: overglaze polychrome enamels. The under kimono decorated with blossoms and maple leaves in iron-red and yellow. The over-garment (uchikake) decorated with a bamboo trellis in green and blue and a vine (apparently wisteria) with leaves in blue and green. The green is a light brilliant shade which tends to turquoise. Hanging blossoms are red and yellow. Neck folds of undergarment are painted in blue and black. Also painted in rich lacquer-like black enamel are hair, eyes, brows, obi and some vine tendrils. The clear “kaki” red also shows on garment linings and edges, lips and some vine tendrils.

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1670-1700
Medium
Porcelain with enamels over clear colorless glaze
Style
Arita ware, Kakiemon type
Dimensions
H: 38.5 cm (15 3/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Saga prefecture, Arita, Kakiemon kiln, Nangawara
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1975.1
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Sculpture
Type

Figure: woman

Keywords
Arita ware, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, porcelain, wisteria, woman
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Figure of a standing lady. Molded, with slightly open mouth and a hole under the loop at the back of the coiffure. Flat, closed, textile-marked base.
Clay: fine white porcelain.
Glaze: smooth, clear porcelain glaze.
Decoration: overglaze polychrome enamels. The under kimono decorated with blossoms and maple leaves in iron-red and yellow. The over-garment (uchikake) decorated with a bamboo trellis in green and blue and a vine (apparently wisteria) with leaves in blue and green. The green is a light brilliant shade which tends to turquoise. Hanging blossoms are red and yellow. Neck folds of undergarment are painted in blue and black. Also painted in rich lacquer-like black enamel are hair, eyes, brows, obi and some vine tendrils. The clear "kaki" red also shows on garment linings and edges, lips and some vine tendrils.

Published References
  • Julia Murray. A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980. Exh. cat. Washington, 1979. cat. 72, p. 93.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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