Lidded Incense Container with a Dragon Maker: (lid) Raku Ryonyu (Japanese, 1756–1834)

13th century

Asian Art

On view, 2nd floor, Asian Art

The elements of this charming incense container document the object’s travels and various functions. Made in China, the green-glazed vessel was brought to Japan, where it was used as a tea container. The gold lacquer repairs on the side and lip are Japanese and illustrate the value assigned to this Chinese ceramic in Japan. The earthenware lid is the work of Raku Ryonyu (1756–1834), the ninth generation of the Raku family of potters, and an American artist is responsible for the lively pewter dragon crawling on the lid.

Medium

Stoneware with crackled green glaze

Dimensions

without lid: 1 3/8 × 2 3/16 × 2 3/16 in. (3.5 × 5.5 × 5.5 cm)
with lid: 1 7/8 × 2 5/16 × 2 3/8 in. (4.8 × 5.8 × 6 cm)

Credit Line

Anonymous Loan

Loan number

ILE2017.28.6a-b

Geography

China, Japan, United States

Culture

Chinese, Japanese, American

Period

Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)–Modern

Classification

Containers

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Purchased from Zetterquist Galleries, 2000; Richard M. Danziger;
Bibliography

  • Sadako Ohki and Takeshi Watanabe, Tea Culture of Japan (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2009), 93, no. 46, ill.

Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

incense containers, stoneware

Signed

The container does not bear a signature but the lid bears the round seal of "Raku" inside. The wooden box lid exterior bears a "kiwame" seal with inscription in sumi ink, "crack-pattern seiji, tea container, lid restored by the ninth generation [Raku family]."

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF

Open in Mirador

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Linked Art

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