Ginger jar with domed cover, with design of blossoming prunus

Ginger jar with domed cover, decorated with branches of prunus blossoms and buds. A small version of the classic “ginger jar” shape, with flattened shoulders and globular body tapering into a small foot and narrow footrim. Domed cover fits over an upright neck.

Clay: Porcelain; footrim slightly chipped and darkened on surface by use.

Glaze: Colorless glaze evenly applied to exterior, interior and foot; unglazed footrim.

Decoration: In blue (cobalt) pigment under the glaze. Below a “comb” pattern circling the base of the neck, the body is decorated with prunus blossoms and buds on branches, set against a ground of cobalt wash. Domed cover also ornamented with blossoming prunus set against blue wash ground.

Mark: none.

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Maker(s)
Artist: Style of Miyagawa Kozan (1842-1916)
Historical period(s)
Meiji era, ca. 1893-1899
Medium
Porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10.5 x 10.8 x 10.8 cm (4 1/8 x 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 in)
Geography
Japan, Kyoto
Credit Line
Bequest of Isabel S. Kurtz
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1991.19a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Jar

Keywords
cobalt pigment, Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), porcelain
Provenance

To ?
Charles M. Kurtz (1855-1909). [1]

To 1991
Isabel S. Kurtz (1901-1991). [2]

From 1991
Freer Gallery of Art, bequest of Isabel S. Kurtz (1901-1991). [3]

Notes:

[1] Ms. Isabel Kurtz bequeathed the group of Asian ceramics, F1991.19-.44, to the Freer Gallery of Art. These objects had been collected by her father, Charles M. Kurtz, who was a friend of Charles Freer. Also see Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.

[2] See note 1. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

[3] See note 2.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles M. Kurtz 1855-1909
Isabel S. Kurtz 1901-1991

Description

Ginger jar with domed cover, decorated with branches of prunus blossoms and buds. A small version of the classic "ginger jar" shape, with flattened shoulders and globular body tapering into a small foot and narrow footrim. Domed cover fits over an upright neck.

Clay: Porcelain; footrim slightly chipped and darkened on surface by use.

Glaze: Colorless glaze evenly applied to exterior, interior and foot; unglazed footrim.

Decoration: In blue (cobalt) pigment under the glaze. Below a "comb" pattern circling the base of the neck, the body is decorated with prunus blossoms and buds on branches, set against a ground of cobalt wash. Domed cover also ornamented with blossoming prunus set against blue wash ground.

Mark: none.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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