Incense Burner with Flowers and Dots

1893–1914

Seifū Yohei III 三代清風与平

(Japanese, 1851–1914)

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Culture

Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Medium

Porcelain with creamy white translucent glaze and molded and incised design with openwork silver lid in shape of flower

Measurements

height with lid: 8.5 cm (3 3/8 in.); Diameter: 8.5 cm (3 3/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of James and Christine Heusinger 2022.180

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This incense burner has floral motifs on both the lid and the burner.

Description

Yohei III made incense burners in a wide variety of designs and styles. The body and glaze of this one are taihakuji, or “great white porcelain,” an important early invention Yohei III devised in 1872 that involved the combination of a distinctive translucent, creamy glaze over an ivory-colored clay body.

The silver lid is meant to look like a single flower. The vessel has tapering legs with a combined curvilinear and geometric design; the bands encircling the middle have simple, incised flower motifs alternating with single dots.