One of two jars Japan’s first ceramic culture, the Jōmon, produced strongly tactile pottery over 3,500 years ago. This lavishly decorated bowl was probably used during religious ceremonies. Its flamboyant rim, a typical feature of the middle period of Jōmon pottery, is known as the “fire-flame” type, because the coils of clay resemble leaping flames. The word jōmon, after which the historical period is named, means “cord markings” and derives from the distinctive patterns produced by rolling a rope-wrapped stick across the surface of the clay. The lower portion of this vessel bears these markings, together with whimsical designs carved into the surface of the clay.

Deep Bowl with Four Projections, 2500-1500 BCE

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The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  82.9.1

Japan’s first ceramic culture, the Jōmon (14,000–300 bce), produced strongly tactile pottery over 3,500 years ago. This lavishly decorated bowl was probably used during religious ceremonies. Its flamboyant rim, a typical feature of the middle period of Jōmon pottery, is known as the “fire-flame” type, because the coils of clay resemble leaping flames. The word jōmon, after which the historical period is named, means “cord markings” and derives from the distinctive patterns produced by rolling a rope-wrapped stick across the surface of the clay. The lower portion of this vessel bears these markings, together with whimsical designs carved into the surface of the clay.

Details
Title
Deep Bowl with Four Projections
Role
Artist
Accession Number
82.9.1
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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One of two jars Japan’s first ceramic culture, the Jōmon, produced strongly tactile pottery over 3,500 years ago. This lavishly decorated bowl was probably used during religious ceremonies. Its flamboyant rim, a typical feature of the middle period of Jōmon pottery, is known as the “fire-flame” type, because the coils of clay resemble leaping flames. The word jōmon, after which the historical period is named, means “cord markings” and derives from the distinctive patterns produced by rolling a rope-wrapped stick across the surface of the clay. The lower portion of this vessel bears these markings, together with whimsical designs carved into the surface of the clay.