Japanese Gourd-Shaped Hanging Vase

Gourd-Shaped Hanging Flower Vase c. 1895. Photographed in situ hanging in the front hall of Eldon House. Photo by S. Butlin.
Gourd-Shaped Hanging Flower Vase c. 1895. Photographed in situ hanging in the front hall of Eldon House. Photo by S. Butlin.
The Japanese gourd-shaped hanging vase is listed as “bronze cucumber” near the bottom of this handwritten list of objects, itemizing the cost of each, bought by the Harris family while travelling in Japan in 1897. Dated November 1897 it appears to be written on “Kioto Hotel’ notepaper. Harris family fonds, Archives, Western University.
The Japanese gourd-shaped hanging vase is listed as “bronze cucumber” near the bottom of this handwritten list of objects, itemizing the cost of each, bought by the Harris family while travelling in Japan in 1897. Dated November 1897 it appears to be written on “Kioto Hotel’ notepaper. Harris family fonds, Archives, Western University.

Japanese Gourd-Shaped Hanging Vase
Artist: Unknown
Created: Japan, Meiji era,
Date: c. 1895
Medium: Cast bronze
Dimensions: 25 cm. high
Collection: Eldon House

This bronze flower vase in the naturalistic shape of a gourd, with details of leaves and tendrils, was bought by the Harris’ on their trip to Japan in 1897.[33]  It was described by the Harris’ on a handwritten packing list from November 1897 as a “bronze cucumber” for which they paid “seventy-five cents.”[34] David Pepper in his comprehensive exhibition catalogue Treasures from Japan explains that the vase was meant to be hung on a wall or post in the traditional formal display alcove known as a tokonoma, in a Japanese home, and to contain a flower arrangement.[35]

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