Artwork Page for Sleeping Cat

Details / Information for Sleeping Cat

Sleeping Cat

眠り猫置物

early to mid-1800s

Japan, Edo period

(1615–1868)
Medium
Porcelain with overglaze color enamel and gold (Hizen ware)
Measurements
Overall: 9.5 x 14.6 cm (3 3/4 x 5 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.255
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Models of sleeping cats with collars and bells like this one were popular as decorative objects, and some of them also served as incense burners or hand warmers. This cat was just for display and has very carefully incised lines in the surface of the clay body, as well as thin strokes of orange and gold over the glaze to create the sense of soft fur.
A porcelain and enamel sculpture depicts a cat curled in sleep, facing right with closed eyes and pointed ears. Its white body is dappled with orange patches rendered in fine, thin lines. The cat wears a red collar with white swirls and a golden bell. Its head rests on tucked front paws, while the tail wraps from behind toward the front, hugging the smooth, rounded contours of its resting body.

Sleeping Cat

early to mid-1800s

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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