Japanese Morning Glories Watch

Description

The bright pattern on our watch is adapted from a pair of Japanese screens in the Museum’s collection. In Morning GloriesSuzuki Kiitsu (Japanese, 1796–1858) concentrated on the exuberant proliferation of the blossoms and leaves through space and has omitted natural settings or context. The brilliant outburst is carefully orchestrated into two movements: the blossoms on the right rise from the ground, while those on the left cascade down as if supported by an unseen trellis.

18K gold overlay case. Printed plastic band. Quartz movement. Case: 1 1/4'' diam. Band: adjusts from 5 7/8'' to 7 7/8''L.

Art History

Suzuki Kiitsu (Japanese, 1796–1858) trained as a textile dyer, studied painting under Sakai Hoitsu, with whom he prepared an illustrated book, One Hundred Paintings by Kōrin, a compendium of classic Rinpa art. Evident in Morning Glories is the influence of both the art of textile design and of the Rinpa School in the brilliant decorative effects of the thick mineral pigments in gold leaf.