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Sake Bottle (Tokkuri)

mid-19th century
Not on view
The small porcelain sake bottle appears to be made of wood covered in lacquer. Its dark brown glaze, mimicking a black lacquer surface, is embellished with a gold and silver “sprinkled picture” (maki-e) bird-and-flower composition. The design may be based on a traditional pattern showing a warbler on a plum tree, an auspicious symbol of the new year that refers to the “First Song of Spring” (Hatsune) chapter of The Tale of Genji.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sake Bottle (Tokkuri)
  • Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
  • Date: mid-19th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Porcelain with overglaze enamel, gold and silver hiramaki-e (Kyoto ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 6 in. (15.2 cm); Diam. 2 3/4 in. (15.2 × 7 cm)
    Diam. of rim: 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)
    Diam. of base: 2 in. (5.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.175
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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