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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2011.457
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Small Table with Square Top, Slender Columnar Support, and Flaring Circular Base
Classification
Furniture
Work Type
stand
Date
16th century
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, Japan
Period
Muromachi period, 1392-1568
Culture
Japanese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/339111

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Negoro Lacquer: wood with orange and black lacquers
Dimensions
max.: H. 34.1 x W. 32.8 x D. 32.2 cm (13 7/16 x 12 15/16 x 12 11/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
[Takashi Yanagi Gallery, Kyoto, 1988], sold; to Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Poster, New York, (1988-1011), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Amy and Robert L. Poster, L '65
Accession Year
2011
Object Number
2011.457
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
This small table comprises three parts: a circular base, a flaring columnar support, and a square top. The circular base rests on a broad, short foot with vertical side walls. Resembling a cone with lightly rounded sides, the walls of the base dramatically constrict above the foot to form the slender column; above its midpoint, the column flares to receive and support the square top, which has a raised lip and delicately indented corners. The base, columnar support, and table top (including its underside) were coated with black lacquer; the table top’s upper face, including the inside edge of its raised lip, were further coated with lustrous orange-red cinnabar lacquer. The characteristic black and orange-red and black lacquer identify this as an example of Japanese Negoro lacquer, or "Negoro-nuri". In the fashion characteristic of Negoro lacquer, localized areas of the orange-red lacquer have worn away through use, revealing the underlying black lacquer. Though still relatively thick on the underside of the table’s top and on the upper portion of the columnar support, the black lacquer is now relatively thin on the base and lower portion of the support, revealing the dark color of the wood. Most Negoro ware was intended for daily use in households and temples or as simple ceremonial utensils.

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu