Water jar
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Cast iron
Dimensions
H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm); Diam. at mouth 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Howard Mansfield Collection, Gift of Howard Mansfield, 1936
Accession Number
36.120.680
Art Historical Context
This elegant cast iron water jar, crafted in 18th-century Japan, exemplifies the refined metalwork traditions of the Edo period (1603–1868). Standing at 7⅜ inches (18.7 cm) tall with a mouth diameter of 3⅞ inches (9.8 cm), its compact form suggests practical utility, likely for storing or pouring fresh water in domestic or ceremonial settings. The choice of cast iron—a durable, heat-resistant medium—highlights Japanese artisans' mastery of foundry techniques, where molten iron was poured into intricate sand molds to create smooth, functional vessels with subtle surface textures. In Japanese c...