Not currently on display at the V&A

Model Bowl

1880-1930 (made)
Place of origin

This miniature bowl and lid (wan) is part of a Japanese Dolls' Festival (hina matsuri) set. The Dolls' Festival is traditionally celebrated by girls on 3rd March. Bowls of this type were traditionally used to hold food, such as rice or soup. It would traditionally be placed on a kakeban tray. This set has a pair of kakeban trays, one for the male and one for the female doll. Each tray would also include matching bowls, which are part of this set.
The focal point of the Dolls' Festival festival is the display of dolls, miniature furniture and household accessories on tiered shelves in the home. The furniture and accessories are modelled on wedding sets which formed part of the dowry of elite women. Such sets, which usually included more than 50 objects, were intended as ceremonial showpieces to show off the family's wealth and status. They included bathing and toilet articles, items connected with clothes, writing implements and those for eating and drinking. This Dolls' Festival group consists of several incomplete sets of miniature lacquer furniture and daily utensils, to which this bowl belongs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Model Bowl
  • Model Lid
Materials and techniques
Lacquered wood and gold hiramaki-e
Brief description
Miniature bowl with lid, one of a pair, black lacquered wood with gold lacquer decoration, part of a hina-matsuri (Dolls' Festival) set, Japan, late 19th century-early 20th century
Physical description
Miniature bowl with lid in black lacquered wood decorated in gold hiramaki-e (flat sprinkled picture) with peonies and floral scrolls, a pair with FE.33-2003
Dimensions
  • Maximum diameter: 4.2cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Fumie Kosuge
Summary
This miniature bowl and lid (wan) is part of a Japanese Dolls' Festival (hina matsuri) set. The Dolls' Festival is traditionally celebrated by girls on 3rd March. Bowls of this type were traditionally used to hold food, such as rice or soup. It would traditionally be placed on a kakeban tray. This set has a pair of kakeban trays, one for the male and one for the female doll. Each tray would also include matching bowls, which are part of this set.
The focal point of the Dolls' Festival festival is the display of dolls, miniature furniture and household accessories on tiered shelves in the home. The furniture and accessories are modelled on wedding sets which formed part of the dowry of elite women. Such sets, which usually included more than 50 objects, were intended as ceremonial showpieces to show off the family's wealth and status. They included bathing and toilet articles, items connected with clothes, writing implements and those for eating and drinking. This Dolls' Festival group consists of several incomplete sets of miniature lacquer furniture and daily utensils, to which this bowl belongs.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
FE.32:1, 2-2003

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Record createdMarch 11, 2004
Record URL
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