Okura porcelain thimble
Name/Title
Okura porcelain thimbleEntry/Object ID
2021.1.201Description
White and blue porcelain Okura thimble, part of the Franklin Mint "Thimbles of the World’s Greatest Porcelain Houses" series. Retailer description: "The fascinating pattern which appears on the thimble of Okura China depicts a playing child in Chinese dress with a very unusual hairstyle. The design is thought to date back to the 8th century, possibly to the ancient city of Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan. The pattern includes a flowering branch and a gourd drinking bottle, or sometimes a drum, and the child was regarded as a messenger of happiness. In the years between 1603 and 1868, when much of Japan was ruled by the shoguns who had their capital at Edo (now Tokyo), the happy child design was reserved for gifts presented to the ruling shogun. Okura has expressed the wish this child of good omen will bring luck and happiness to all who posses the thimble. The Okura porcelain house, originated in Tokyo by Kazuchika Okura, produces only the finest quality art and ornamental chinaware crafted entirely by hand. Okura dinnerware has been commissioned by the imperial family and is also used in Japanese embassies all over the world. During the last few decades royal commissions have included tableware for the imperial household on the occasion of the Princess Terunomiya’s marriage, formal banquet dinnerware for the palace of Crown Prince Akihito and congratulatory gift items for the emperor on the 50th anniversary of his reign."Collection
Marianne Kerr Thimble CollectionCategory
Tools