Vase with Plum Blossoms

梅花紋花瓶

1914–46

Seifū Yohei IV 四代清風与平

(Japanese, 1872–1951)

Culture

Japan, Taishō period (1912–26) or Shōwa period (1926–89)

Medium

Glazed porcelain with molded and carved design

Measurements

32.9 x 23.1 cm (12 15/16 x 9 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of James and Christine Heusinger 2022.211

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Location

235A Japanese

Did You Know?

Yohei IV’s allover design of budding and flowering plum blossoms, strongly associated with spring and with China, is combined with his father’s “water color” glaze on this vase.

Description

Although inspired by representations of flowering plum, or prunus, in Chinese ceramics, the dense allover design of branches on this vase also resembles Japanese textile patterns. As they might on a kimono, the trunks run in alternate directions up and down the surface. At the foot, or bottom of the vase, is a classic band of spirals, and at the neck, or narrowed portion near the opening, is a collar of clouds.