1972.2.FA Tea Bowl

This tea bowl is an example of shino ware. Shino ware developed specifically for use in the tea ceremony. The kiln centers of Karatsu and Takatori were founded to produce everyday wares, but eventually also received orders from tea masters to create wares suitable for tea, such as this. Known as chanoyu ("hot water for tea"), this form of ritual tea uses powdered green tea, which is whisked into a frothy brew in the individual tea bowl. Developed during the 16th century, chanoyu grew from the aesthetic sensibilities of tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-91), who established a lineage that continues to this day.

Japan (nation): TGN: 1000120

Shino (ceramics style): AAT: 300018631

Karatsu ware (pottery): AAT: 300387167

Momoyama: AAT: 300018563

Sen no Rikyū (Japanese tea ceremony master, 1522-91): ULAN: 500325848

tea (beverage): AAT: 300249828

tea bowls: AAT: 300198548

tea ceremonies: AAT: 300343832

Before 1972: Harry C. Nail, Jr., El Dorado, Arkansas. [1]

1972: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Foundation for the Arts purchase from above. [2][3]

The main source for this provenance is the Dallas Art Association Acquisition Record, dated January 7, 1972, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File. Exceptions and supporting documents are noted.  

[1] See invoice from Harry C. Nail to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, dated January 3, 1972.   

[2] The Dallas Art Association is the predecessor to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name was abandoned in 1970. Works from this collection were transferred to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.

Learn about the Momoyama Period in Japan, 264287949: UMO

Rousmaniere lecture, Form Over Function: Momoyama-Period Ceramics, 13313628: UMO

Apply to objects where number equals 1972.2.FA