{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O173772"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O173772/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CA5037/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CA5037/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009CA5037","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CA5038","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O173772/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O173772","accessionNumber":"FE.41-2008","objectType":"Jar","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"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.","physicalDescription":"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","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"earthenware","id":"x29356"}],"techniques":[{"text":"hand-built","id":"x30324"},{"text":"bonfire firing","id":"AAT53888"},{"text":"unglazed","id":"x44601"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Earthenware, handbuilt, bonfire fired","categories":[{"text":"Ceramics","id":"THES48982"},{"text":"Earthenware","id":"THES48964"}],"styles":[{"text":"Jomon","id":"AAT18523"},{"text":"Middle Jomon","id":"AAT18526"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2009CA5037","2009CA5038"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"145","id":"THES49865"},"free":"","case":"45","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Jar","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Kanto","id":"x29980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"North"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"3500 BC-2500 BC","earliest":"-3500-01-01","latest":"-2500-01-01"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased with the support of the Friends of the V&A, <font -i>Travel with the V&A</font>: Japan 2007, and Mr Masao Iketani","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"53.0","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"48.0","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"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.'\r\n\r\nRupert Faulkner, Asian Department, x2247, 30th May 2007","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"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","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Northern Kanto Kasori E pottery style","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Jar with impressed\r\npattern\r\nJapan, Kanto region\r\nMiddle Jomon period\r\n(3500–2500 BC)\r\n\r\nThe Jomon people inhabited the Japanese archipelago from the 14th to the first millennium bc. Jomon pots are some of the earliest known and are thought to have been made by women. The clay was built up by coiling, then fired outdoors in a bonfire. The distinctive patterning, which carried symbolic and narrative meaning, was drawn into the soft clay with a split length of bamboo. \r\n\r\nUnglazed earthenware, with carved and incised decoration \r\n\r\nMuseum no. FE.41-2008\r\nPurchased with the support of the Friends of the V&A,\r\nTravel with the V&A: Japan, and Mr Masao Iketani","date":{"text":"September 2009","earliest":"2009-09-01","latest":"2009-09-30"}},{"text":"Jar with carved and incised decoration\r\nKantō region\r\nUnglazed earthenware\r\nMiddle Jōmon period (3500–2500 BC)\r\nV&A FE.41-2008\r\nPurchased with the support of the Friends of the V&A,\r\nTravel with the V&A: Japan, and Mr Masao Iketani\r\n","date":{"text":"December 2014","earliest":"2014-12-01","latest":"2014-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["FE.41-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"41","accessionNumberPrefix":"FE","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2025PJ7681"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-24","recordCreationDate":"2008-11-24","availableToBook":false}}