Ask the Scholar

{
    "localId": "36774",
    "label": "Eleven Turtles",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.1376"
}

{
    "id": "36774",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.1376",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "Eleven Turtles",
    "description": "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.\tMurata 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.",
    "provenance": "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.",
    "date": "ca. 1818-1829 (late Edo)",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.1376",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Metal",
        "figurines"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL2_54.1376_Fnt_NG_1616.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL2_54.1376_Fnt_NG_1616.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL2_54.1376_Fnt_NG_1616.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "pageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
        {
            "units": "cm",
            "width": 14.9,
            "height": 37,
            "depth": 30.5
        }
    ],
    "dimensionsRaw": "H: 5 7/8 × W: 14 9/16 × D: 12 in. (14.9 × 37 × 30.5 cm)"
}

{
    "cul": "Japanese",
    "inscriptions": [
        "bunsei nen seimin chu; [Translation] Cast by Seimin",
        "Bunsei era (1818-29)"
    ],
    "med": "cast bronze",
    "creator_ids": [
        "3972"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "JPK"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": [
        "34"
    ]
}

{
    "seq": 1,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/raw/PL2_54.1376_Fnt_NG_1616.jpg",
    "mediaId": "e6ab8ace2c725bf2"
}