6 / AMAM.OBERLIN.EDU ON VIEW / STERN GALLERY / THROUGH DEC 21 REBIRTHOF THE DRAGON: CELEBRATING THE RESTORATION OF THE ALLEN’S COILING DRAGON A grand Japanese bronze sculpture, long hidden in plain sight, has been meticulously restored to its full splendor. Known as Incense Burner with Dragon Base, this impressive piece is a remarkable example of Japan’s Meiji period craftsmanship (1868–1912). The sculpture, now standing seven feet tall, features a majestic urn suspended above a plume of water, perched atop a coiling dragon. Originally conceived as a decorative work rather than a functional incense burner, this intricate itemwas crafted to captivate international markets during a time when Japan was eager to showcase its cultural prowess to the world. The dragon, a revered symbol of water and power in East Asia, forms the base of the sculpture, while the urn is adorned with phoenix-shaped handles, fish pendants, and a goddess seated amidst waves on the lid. The six relief panels decorating the urn further reveal a blend of Chinese and Japanese motifs, depicting guardian lions, playful children, a gibbon, and even an eagle battling a snake—possibly a subtle nod to Mexico’s national emblem, found on silver dollars that circulated in Asia during that period. AForgotten Treasure Rediscovered The journey of this extraordinary piece to the Allen Memorial Art Museum is as fascinating as the artwork itself. It was bequeathed to Oberlin College in 1904 by a Cleveland collector. However, the sculpture’s base, featuring the dragon, spent many years as a fountain in the museum’s courtyard, exposed to the elements. This led to significant wear and damage, prompting conservation in the 1990s funded by a grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation. The dragon was subsequently displayed as a standalone sculpture inside the museum, with few realizing that it was merely the base of a much larger andmore intricate work. Thanks to a second generous grant from the Carpenter Foundation, the museum recently undertook a full restoration of the sculpture, repairing damage and replacing losses to the upper sections andmatching the color for the different pieces. The urn, along with all its components, has been reassembled, reintroducing this masterpiece to the public in its complete form for the first time in over a century. TheMeiji Period: ATime of Transformation The Meiji period, during which this sculpture was created, marked a time of profound change in Japan. The collapse of the samurai-led shogunate in the 1860s ushered in an era of modernization and industrialization, as Japan, under pressure from the United States and other powers, opened its doors to the world after centuries of isolation. Keen to demonstrate Japan’s cultural sophistication, the new government invested 1 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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