Three-color glazed bowl

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Artist: Mokubei
Place of production or style: Kyoto
Number of components: 1
Format and materials: Pottery
Dimensions (in cm): D. (rim) 19.3-20.8, D. (stand) 9.3, H. 13.8
Date of production: Edo period 19th century ca. 1807

This three-color-ware (sansai) bowl has a gathering cloud motif in yellow, green, and purple. The generously plump body narrowing below its middle is remarkably graceful. For some reason, the interior of the bowl points sharply downward at its center, and the interior of the foot has a matching protuberance. This bowl appears to be a copy of a Qing-dynasty Chinese susancai bowl, but Mokubei has gone beyond mere imitation to add his own interpretation. Since the inside of the foot has the characters Kinjō seisei in red, we can infer that this piece was made in about 1807-08 (Bunka 4-5), when Mokubei was invited to Kanazawa and built his kiln at Kasugayama.

Notable Works

Three-color glazed bowl

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART