Cabinet E: Shelf 1
Selections from the James Marshall Plumer Collection
ames Marshall Plumer (1899-1960) was a source of knowledge and inspiration at the University of Michigan. A researcher and archeologist, Plumer was known for passing his enthusiasm for East Asian art on to his students; through a gift fund established by his colleagues and family upon his death, his influence continues to be felt. Plumer also produced an impressive body of research on Chinese ceramics, making significant contributions to the knowledge of Tenmoku ware.
Tenmoku ware, originally produced during the Song dynasty (960–1279) in kilns of the Tianmu mountains in China’s Fujian province, is characterized by what appear to be oil spots in the surface of black and brown glazes. The use of iron oxide is responsible for these dark colors, and the faster a piece was cooled, the darker the color would become. In China the ware was named Jian after the kiln that produced it. Jian ware was used at the nearby monasteries in the Tianmu mountains, where many Japanese priests made pilgrimages to study Zen Buddhism during the thirteenth century. The monks returned to Japan with Jian ware teabowls, which became prized by the Ashikaga shoguns and used in the tea ceremony. Due to the widespread popularity of Jian ware in Japan, the pieces came to be known by the Japanese name for the Tian Mu mountains, Tenmoku. As demand for tenmoku bowls increased, they were not only imported into but produced in Japan as well.
Chinese
Teabowl
Stoneware with glaze
2 3/8 in x 6 in (6.03 cm x 15.24 cm);2 3/8 in (6.03 cm)
The James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Chinese
Bowl
porcelain with glaze
1 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in x 5 1/4 in (3.8 cm x 13.3 cm x 13.3 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
Japanese
Shallow Temmoku Tea Bowl
Stoneware with black glaze
1 15/16 in. x 5 7/8 in. ( 4.9 cm x 15 cm )
Gift of Mrs. Caroline J. Plumer
Chinese
Covered Jar
glaze on porcelain
3 15/16 in x 3 7/16 in x 3 7/16 in (10 cm x 8.73 cm x 8.73 cm);4 5/8 in x 5 5/16 in x 5 5/16 in (11.75 cm x 13.49 cm x 13.49 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
Chinese
Teabowl
stoneware with glaze
2 1/16 in x 4 5/16 in x 4 5/16 in (5.24 cm x 10.95 cm x 10.95 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
Chinese
Bowl
stoneware with glaze, and gold lacquer
3 5/8 in x 8 1/8 in x 8 1/8 in (9.2 cm x 20.6 cm x 20.6 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Chinese
Fragment of base of a seated Buddha, with incense burner, lion, and attendant
marble
5 1/4 in x 7 1/2 in x 4 1/4 in (13.3 cm x 19.05 cm x 10.8 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
Chinese
Teabowl
stoneware with thick black glaze
1 9/16 in. x 3 7/16 in. ( 4 cm x 8.8 cm )
The James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Japanese
Seto ware plate with painted bamboo design (Ishizara)
stoneware with underglaze painting and crackle glaze
2 1/2 in. x 10 3/4 in. x 10 3/4 in. ( 6.4 cm x 27.3 cm x 27.3 cm )
Gift of Mr. Harry Packard for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Chinese
Teabowl
stoneware with glaze and overglaze iron oxide
2 1/2 in x 7 9/16 in x 7 1/2 in (6.35 cm x 19.21 cm x 19.05 cm);2 1/2 in (6.35 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline J. Plumer
Chinese
Teabowl
stoneware with glaze
2 1/16 in x 4 3/4 in x 4 3/4 in (5.24 cm x 12.07 cm x 12.07 cm)
The James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection