Suntory Museum of Art
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Notable Works
Oribe candlestick in the form of a Western Barbarian

Notable Works

Ceramics

Oribe candlestick in the form of a Western Barbarian

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Place of production or style: Mino
Number of components: 1
Format and materials: Pottery
Dimensions (in cm): W. 15.1, D. 10.4, H. 30.4, D. (saucer) 7.3, H. (pricket) 4.3
Date of production: Momoyama period Early 17th century

Bushy eyebrows meeting above the bridge of the nose, large upturned eyes, and a pointy nose: this candlestick presents the Southern Barbarian (European) as imagi ned in Japan. The figure is wearing a jacket with a floral motif on the collar and pantaloons. He holds a basket in his left hand. A hole through his right hand may have once held a fishing pool. The dish above his head is fitted with an iron nail to hold the candle. A drawer to hold candle stubs has been provided beside the right leg. The jacket and basket are covered in green glaze, the rest of the piece in feldspar glaze, which provides a white ground on which the whiskers, eyebrows, eyes, and other features have been painted in underglaze iron. This work is thought to be a product of the Kujiri Motoyashiki kiln.

Notable Works

Oribe candlestick in the form of a Western Barbarian

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART