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Eleven Turtles
(Japan and Korea )
Turtles were attractive as display objects in Japan because they were seen as symbols of long life and happiness. These appear to be cast from actual specimens of the semi-aquatic species Mauremys Japonica. Each was cast separately, then pinned to the others.
Murata Seimin was highly acclaimed as a master metal caster and was famous for these turtles. According to legend, the turtles that he used were alive, and one of his heirs suffered a painful death because of the turtles' curse.
Inscription
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.
Kay Collection Sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, 1913 (?); William T. Walters, Baltimore, prior to 1884 [pictured in 1884 gallery photograph] [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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4/7/2014 | Examination | Examined |
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 5 7/8 × W: 14 9/16 × D: 12 in. (14.9 × 37 × 30.5 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.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.1376