Flower Vase with Phoenix in Paulownia Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Flower Vase with Phoenix in Paulownia

1897–1914

Seifū Yohei III 三代清風与平

(Japanese, 1851–1914)

Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Porcelain with molded and carved design and underglaze color

height: 20.6 cm (8 1/8 in.); Diameter: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.); height with stand: 25.4 cm (10 in.)

Gift of James and Christine Heusinger 2022.199

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

In 1893, Seifū Yohei III became the first ceramicist to be appointed as an Imperial Household Artist under a system introduced by the Japanese government in 1890.

Description

One of Seifū Yohei III’s most visually impactful techniques, seen in this work, was to combine complex low-relief designs in clay surrounded by diffused underglaze blue or pink, which he then covered with a transparent or translucent glaze. Yohei III also experimented with clay bodies ranging from bluish white to ivory combined with translucent cream-colored glazes. The atmospheric effects he achieved were considered remarkable.