Candlestick in the Shape of a European Man, 17th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Oribe ware; glazed stonewareexpand_more
The Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation Endowment Fundexpand_more 2016.47.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
This stoneware candlestick takes the shape of a so-called nanban, or “southern barbarian,” a word used historically in Japan to refer to Europeans. Here, red bushy eyebrows and a beard, a prominent nose, large eyes, and his collared shirt all highlight his foreignness. The green glaze that covers the jar he carries as well as part of his shirt is characteristic of Oribe ceramics, which were made in the Mino region of central Japan and demonstrated more diversity of form and surface decoration than most other Japanese ceramics of the time. The bowl-shaped plate on top of his head would have once had a metal pricket onto which a candle would have been placed.
Details
- Title
- Candlestick in the Shape of a European Man
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2016.47.1
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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