Sleeping Cat

Artist Unknown (Japanese)

Datelate 19th to 20th Century

MediumPorcelain with overglaze

Dimensions4 x 9 1/2 x 6 11/16 in. (10.2 x 24.1 x 17 cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936

Object numberSN7144

This nemuri-neko ("sleeping cat") is an example of the saik? or "revised" Kutani ware. The porcelain originally produced at Kutani was well-known for its five-color palette designs that utilized only red, yellow, green, Prussian blue and purple. These Old Kutani wares were rarely exported. Around 1694 the kilns fell into disuse, and were only revived in 1804. After the revival of the kilns, Kutani wares were exported in great numbers to Europe. In this work, as well as many of the other animal figures produced at Kutani in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, shows the influence of wood-carving on ceramics. This is especially visible in the tiny brushstrokes used to create the illusion of fur.

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