The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 18, 2025

Teapot with Begonias

1897–1914
(Japanese, 1851–1914)
Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Porcelain with underglaze and overglaze colors
Diameter: 9 cm (3 9/16 in.); width with handle: 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in.)
Gift of James and Christine Heusinger 2022.168.a
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

This teapot with begonias combines underglaze blue with subtle use of yellow and white enamels.

Description

This teapot has complex surface treatment: a design of begonias in modulated underglaze blue for the leaves and stems as well as thick overglaze white with incised lines to define the petals, plus small areas of underglaze yellow at their low-relief centers. A band of underglaze blue gives further definition to the lid’s handle, and the area just above the base has a double band of blue above a row of snail-shell curls.

Unlike many other teapots, which have marks on their bases, this one has “Seifu” incised into one of its sides in relatively large characters. It is the side that would face the host if the teapot were held by the handle with the right hand, which would be the expectation.
  • ?–2022
    James and Christine Heusinger, Berea, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2022–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Maezaki, Shinya and Sinéad Vilbar. Colors of Kyoto: The Seifū Yohei Ceramic Studio. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2023. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 24, pp. 94–96
  • Colors of Kyoto: The Seifū Yohei Ceramic Studio. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 19, 2023-March 10, 2024).
  • {{cite web|title=Teapot with Begonias|url=false|author=Seifū Yohei III|year=1897–1914|access-date=18 May 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2022.168.a