Cockerel, Hen and Basket thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cockerel, Hen and Basket

Woodblock Print
ca. 1840-1842 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This uchiwa-e, or rigid fan print, design by Hiroshige is one of an untitled series of four in the collection of the V&A. The ribmarks visible on its surface are evidence that it was salvaged from a made-up fan. The significance of chickens was talismanic in that their cries were believed to bring protection against the evil forces of darkness. The pink body and black breast and tail feathers of this particular cockerel are typical of the 'jidori', a primitive breed of chicken indigenous to Japan.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCockerel, Hen and Basket (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; Cockerel, Hen and Basket, from an untitled series of bird and flower studies; fan print, Japanese, ca. 1840-1842
Physical description
Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Hiroshige hitsu. Publisher mark: Maruya Seijiro.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
Style
Credit line
Webb Bequest
Summary
This uchiwa-e, or rigid fan print, design by Hiroshige is one of an untitled series of four in the collection of the V&A. The ribmarks visible on its surface are evidence that it was salvaged from a made-up fan. The significance of chickens was talismanic in that their cries were believed to bring protection against the evil forces of darkness. The pink body and black breast and tail feathers of this particular cockerel are typical of the 'jidori', a primitive breed of chicken indigenous to Japan.
Collection
Accession number
E.4834-1919

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2004
Record URL
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