Jar
3500 BC-2500 BC (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This large earthenware jar is a fine example of the powerfully sculptural pottery produced by the Jomon people, who inhabited the Japanese archipelago from the 14th to the first millennium BC. Jomon (literally 'rope pattern') wares, from which the name of the culture that produced them is derived, are among the earliest ceramics ever made. They reached a peak of sophistication in terms of complexity of shape and patterning during the Middle Jomon period, when this particular jar was made. The meaning of the elaborate patterning found on this and comparable vessels is unknown, but archaeologists are generally agreed that it had some kind of ceremonial or ritual significance.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, handbuilt, bonfire fired |
| Brief description | Cer, Japan, Jomon ware. Jar, unglazed earthenware with complex spiral and three-dimensional patterning, Japan, Middle Jomon period, 3500-2500 BC, Northern Kanto Kasori E style |
| Physical description | Deep vessel form of handbuilt earthenware with complex patterning incised into the damp clay with the end of a split length of bamboo; four raised protrusions around rim, spiral decoration on upper torso, and vertically incised lines on lower torso; mottled orange to grey colouration the result of bonfire firing |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the support of the Friends of the V&A, Travel with the V&A: Japan 2007, and Mr Masao Iketani |
| Object history | In terms of provenance, the jar has been in the hands of the Mika Gallery for over ten years and belonged to a private collector for at least eight years prior to that. In answer to my enquiries, the gallery owner, Ms Seki, advised me by email that, 'this piece is currently in our gallery in New York and I have had to submit supporting documents to the Cultural Agency (equivalent to our DCMS) to obtain the permit to export this piece for the intention of sales. Thus there are no illegal factors related to the sale of this piece.' Rupert Faulkner, Asian Department, x2247, 30th May 2007 |
| Production | Northern Kanto Kasori E pottery style |
| Summary | This large earthenware jar is a fine example of the powerfully sculptural pottery produced by the Jomon people, who inhabited the Japanese archipelago from the 14th to the first millennium BC. Jomon (literally 'rope pattern') wares, from which the name of the culture that produced them is derived, are among the earliest ceramics ever made. They reached a peak of sophistication in terms of complexity of shape and patterning during the Middle Jomon period, when this particular jar was made. The meaning of the elaborate patterning found on this and comparable vessels is unknown, but archaeologists are generally agreed that it had some kind of ceremonial or ritual significance. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.41-2008 |
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| Record created | November 24, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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