- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Pottery figure of beckoning cat, painted with brown spots. [El.B 20/11/2013]
- Geographical reference
- Cultural groups
- Japanese
- Person
- Field collector Walter Leo Hildburgh
- PRM source Wellcome Institute
- PRM source Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1985
- Date collected
- by 1985
- Acquisition information
- Loaned: 1985
- Dimensions
- Height: max 55 mm, Length: max 60 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1985.53.709
- Research and responses
This cat figure is called maneki-neko (beckoning cat) and is seen as a good luck charm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki-neko [El.B 20/11/2013]
- Associated publications
- Illustrated in colour in the pamphlet accompanying the Reading Room displays at the Welcome Collection with the caption “Beckoning cat Pottery Japan RRa0243/1985.53.709 Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford. Beckoning cats are usually placed at the entrance to shops or in the home.” [FB 15/8/2016] Illustrated in colour on page 204 in ‘Reading Room Companion consisting of a rare and valuable collection of diverse curiosities acquired by and for Henry Wellcome with a great variety of books’ Written and compiled by Anna Faherty published in 2014 by the Wellcome collection, with the caption “Beckoning good luck. Beckoning cat Japan RRa00243/1985.53.709 Pitt Rivers Museum The Japanese maneki-neko, or ‘beckoning cat’ is a contemporary talismanic figurine believed to bring good fortune to its owner. The cats are usually stationed at the entrance to shops or in the home, with one paw raised (and if battery-powered, the paw moves up and down in a beckoning gesture). The raised paw is believed to attract customers, and bring good luck and wealth.” [FB 15/8/2016]
Search terms: Religion, Figure, Pottery, Amulet, Animal Figure