Ivory ornamental model of a ship with carved wooden stand
- Object Number: STKMG: DA.1964.17
- Simple Name: ship
- Full Name: ship of fortune
- Other Name: takarabune
- Production Place: Japan
- Creation, production or manufacture details: carving
- Production Period:
- Meiji period
- Summary: Ivory ornamental model of a ship with carved wooden stand. The ship which represents a ship of fortune or treasure ship, 'takarabune', has seven figures on board, some seated under a canopy and around a central table. The figures represent the seven gods of Good Fortune or 'shichifukujin'. The figurehead is in the form of a cockerel. Possibly part of a steering oar at the back of the vessel. The ship is decorated with dragons chasing sacred pearls, inset black and red glass beads and flowers. Japan, 1900 circa, Meiji period.
- Terms:decorative arts
- Terms:maritime
- Terms:religion
- Inscription:No. 318// Made in Japan sticker base of wooden stand
- Credit: Dr W. Wilkins Bequest
- Additional Notes: The seven gods of good fortune are a group of deities from Japan, China and India. Each one existed independently, for example, Hotei or the laughing Buddha, before a Japanese monk, Tenkai, created the group in the seventeenth century. Each God represents a different virtue, longevity, dignity, candor, fortune, amiability, magnanimity and popularity. The seven gods travel on a fortune ship handing out good fortune to believers in the New Year.
- Contact: Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
