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Mosquito Smoker (Katori)

first half 19th century
Not on view
Mosquito smokers were filled with plant material that was burned and then doused with water to produce insect-repelling smoke. The iris, a symbol of early summer in Japan, also refers to an episode in a famed tenth-century literary work The Tales of Ise. An inscription on the underside indicates that Moore purchased the smoker from his son William, an early dealer of Asian decorative arts.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mosquito Smoker (Katori)
  • Artist: Minzan
  • Period: Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
  • Date: first half 19th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Earthenware with white lead glaze and polychrome overglaze enamels (Sanuki ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm); Diam. 3 in. (7.6 cm); W. of base 4 1/4 in. (7.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.201a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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