Stem Cup 18th century

This is a stem cup made by Okuda Eisen, a pivotal figure in Kyoto ceramics, who was active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His position as a merchant's son allowed him to create individualized works for the elite, while also exploring his personal interest in Chinese porcelain. The cup’s design combines traditional, formal elements and naturalistic motifs, like the birds. These birds can be seen as symbols of freedom or as symbols of relationships. In a period of intense social and political stratification, such symbols could represent the desire for change. The cup is also marked by a dialogue between tradition and innovation, reflecting the artist’s self-positioning within and against the dominant aesthetics of his time. The shape echoes earlier Chinese forms, yet the decoration is distinctly Japanese. It's not just a vessel for consumption; it's a marker of identity, a silent participant in the social theater of its time.