1993.86.1.A-B.FA Inlaid Shakudo and Gold Koro and Cover

This magnificent square censer rests on a tall, multi-tiered pedestal richly decorated in layers with a band of waves tipped with gold foam at the bottom, a band of twelve small reserves of the animals of the zodiac, a plinth with corner brackets cast with gilt Chinese lions among rocks and waves, and gold dragons at midsection. The vessel itself features motifs from the traditional courtly bagaku dance: dancers dressed in butterfly costumes on one side and the festival drum on the other. Large handles in the form of blossoming paulownia branches are applied to the vessel, and a large phoenix surmounts the cover, which is cast in the form of rocks. The base bears a large inscription, and the piece is signed with individual artists' names in several places: Hokisai Gensuke, Harushima Nobumasa, Miyata Nobumasa, Harada Masatoshi, Serizawa Ritsumin, and Ozawa Shuraku. Some scholars remark that these metalworking artists had specialized in crafting sword fittings for the samurai class, but that once wearing swords was banned due to political changes, the metalworkers had to adapt their skills to different purposes. This censer may have been created for an exposition, such as the 1878 International Exposition in Paris or the First Domestic Exposition.  

Japan (nation): TGN: 1000120

bronze: AAT: 300010957

gilt: AAT: 300379350

metalworking: AAT: 300053946

Meiji: AAT: 300018567

butterflies (general): AAT: 300417320

costume (character dress): AAT: 300266810

dragons (mythical beings): AAT: 300375726

drums (membranophones): AAT: 300041729

lions (animals/panthera leo species): AAT: 300310388

Paulownia tomentosa (species): AAT: 300395654

pedestals: AAT: 300001744

phoenixes: AAT: 300379749

waves (natural events): AAT: 300343616

zodiac symbols (motifs): AAT: 300009937

By 1990: M. Frances and John R. Young, Dallas [1]

1995: Dallas Museum of Art, The John R. Young Collection, Foundation for the Arts purchase. [2]

The main source for this provenance is the letter dated April 5, 1995, from George T. Lee of the Foundation of the Arts, to Keith S. Jennings of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file. 

[1] See the letter dated November 6, 1990 from Gay McNair of the Dallas Museum of Art to John R. Young, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file. 

[2] 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.

Apply to objects where number equals 1993.86.1.A-B.FA