147 - A RARE MUROMACHI NEGORO LACQUER YUTO (EWER FOR HOT WATER)

A RARE MUROMACHI NEGORO LACQUER YUTO (EWER FOR HOT WATER) Japan, 15th-16th century, Muromachi period (1333-1573) Elegantly fashioned from wood, the rounded body resting on scalloped bracket feet, the gently everted sides articulated by two raised circumferential bands. The broad central section is finished in transparent lacquer, revealing the beautifully figured grain of the keyaki (zelkova) wood, contrasting with the rich red lacquer covering the upper and lower sections. The vessel is fitted with an elongated, upturned spout, a tall, arched handle with inward-turned corners, and a circular lid surmounted by a central knop. The red lacquer has worn in places to reveal the underlying black lacquer, creating the distinctive, richly variegated patina characteristic of early Negoro ware. LENGTH 34 cm, HEIGHT 34 cm Condition: Good condition with old wear. Minor age cracks and old repairs to the handle with associated lacquer touchups. Accompanied by a wood tomobako (storage box), inscribed to the exterior of the cover Muromachi jidai Negoro nuri yuto, 室町時代 根来塗湯桶, [Negoro-lacquer hot-water ewer, Muromachi period], and to the interior Negoro nuri yuto, 根来塗湯桶, [Negoro-lacquer hot-water ewer]. Negoro lacquerware takes its name from Negoro-ji, a major Buddhist temple complex in present-day Wakayama Prefecture, traditionally associated with the production of red-lacquered wooden vessels and implements. Characterized by robust yet elegantly restrained forms, Negoro ware was originally made for practical and ceremonial use, with yuto serving to dispense hot water or tea during meals in Buddhist monasteries. Its distinctive aesthetic derives from the application of red lacquer over successive layers of black lacquer, the latter gradually emerging through centuries of use and handling. The resulting interplay of red and black, enriched by a naturally acquired patina, has long been admired by Japanese tea practitioners and collectors. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related Negoro red-lacquer yuto (ewer for hot water), dated to the 16th century, 35.3 cm high, in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, accession number AS8.a-b-1979. Auction comparison: Compare a related Negoro red-lacquer yuto (ewer for hot water), dated to the 14th to 15th century, 36 cm high, at Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, 19 June 2002, London, lot 56 (sold for GBP 33,460 or approx. EUR 84,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).