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Crab

Hidemitsu (Japanese, active 1st half 19th century) (Sculptor)
ca. 1818-1843 (late Edo)
cast bronze
(Japan and Korea )

This crab is so life-like that one would think it was cast from life; however, evidence of tool marks made in the original model raise the possibility that this is essentially an artistic interpretation. However, individual parts may have been cast indirectly from dead specimens and then worked up; the use of a punch tool on the shells is very clear.

Little is known about this artist except that he cast his signature on the underside. He is assumed to have worked at about the same time as Seimin. Perhaps he set out to demonstrate his virtuosity by competing with life casting.

Inscription

hidemitsu chu; [Translation] Cast by Hidemitsu

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

William T. Walters, Baltimore, before 1884 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894, by inheritance; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Exhibitions

1995 The Allure of Bronze. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
1/20/2016 Examination Examined
1/20/2016 Examination Examined in preparation for treatment.
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Geographies

Japan (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 2 1/16 × W: 8 5/8 × D: 6 15/16 in. (5.2 × 21.9 × 17.6 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by William T. Walters, before 1884

Location in Museum

Not on view

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

54.1365

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Related Objects

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Crab

Hidemitsu (Japanese, active 1st half 19th century)
ca. 1818-1843 (late Edo)
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  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
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600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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