Cleveland Museum of Art

Jar with Peonies

Seifū Yohei III

Date

1897–1912

Medium

Porcelain with underglaze blue, overglaze color enamel, molded decoration

Culture

Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Department

Japanese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The petals of the large, white peonies on this jar were made by applying molded clay to the body and incising the clay with lines for definition. The flowers’ centers were then painted with yellow, along with the leaves in cobalt blue line and wash. A subtle blue gradation was also added all around the flowers using a masking method. The lid, with its treasured jewel-shaped finial, was also decorated with foliate motifs in underglaze cobalt blue. Finally, a transparent glaze was applied over the entire body of both the jar and lid. It is a special demonstration of Yohei III’s use of precision and control to create a completely balanced composition. Though Seifū Yohei III originally studied painting, he ultimately succeeded his ceramics mentor, Seifū Yohei II (1845–1878), in Kyoto.

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