1982.34 Cup

While Japanese ceramics do not have the range and technical virtuosity of Chinese works, they are miracles of subtle design. This 17th-century cup from Nabeshima kilns has a most elegant oval, curving form, referred to as a "Chinese bell flower" shape. Its cobalt blue underglaze has a reserved design of poppy heads, which trail gracefully around the cup. As in China, fine porcelains were  made to be treasured and admired as works of art, or even works to inspire thoughtful meditation, rather than simply being considered articles of use.

Nabeshima (ceramics style): AAT: 300018602

Japan (nation): TGN: 1000120

Imari (inhabited place): TGN: 1080222

porcelain (material): AAT: 300010662

porcelain (visual works): AAT: 300386874

underglazing (pottery): AAT: 300048642

seventeenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404511

Edo (Japanese period): AAT: 300106643

cobalt blue (color): AAT: 300311027

Nabeshima ware (pottery by kiln): AAT: 300387364

poppies (flowers/plants/papaver genus): AAT: 300375678

tea (beverage): AAT: 300249828

tea bowls: AAT: 300198548

tea ceremonies: AAT: 300343832

flower (motif): AAT: 300375563

late 1960s-1973: Hirota Matsushige

1980-1982: F. Komiya, Tokyo 

1982: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Norine and Richard D. Haynes, purchase from above. [1]

The main sources for this provenance are the letter from Richard D. Haynes to Ms. Komiya, dated June 8, 1982, and the response from F. Komiya to Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Haynes, dated June 21, 1982. Copies in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File.

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983. 

Apply to objects where number equals 1982.34