Collection Online as of March 20, 2023

Square Jar with Birds in a Flowering Landscape: in Kakiemon Style

late 1600s

Part of a set. See all set records

Japan, Edo period

(1615-1868)

Porcelain with overglaze enamel and gold decoration

Overall: 27.8 x 11.6 cm (10 15/16 x 4 9/16 in.)

Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.277.a

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

A jar like this was fired at a high temperature, painted with colored enamels, and then fired again at a lower temperature.

Description

This type of square jar decorated with birds in a landscape is a common category of Kakiemon ware. It was likely paired with a complementary yet nonidentical mate. The pine tree, plum, and bamboo together form the frequently depicted motif known as the Three Friends of Winter (shōchikubai), so named because of their hardy perseverance in the cold.

Provenance

?-1963

(K.J. Hewett, Ltd., London, UK, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin)

1963-64

Severance A. [1895-1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903-1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

1964-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Exhibition history

Later Japanese Art Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 10-May 6, 2003).

The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-September 2, 1990).

Japanese Gallery 235 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (January 2-July 9, 2018).