Teabowl 1840 - 1860

This humble teabowl, crafted by Kikkutei II, features delicate floral motifs painted across its rustic surface. These flowers, seemingly simple, echo a lineage stretching back through centuries of art and ritual. Observe the stylized chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity and nobility in Japanese culture, its form refined yet retaining a primal connection to nature. We see echoes of similar floral patterns in ancient Minoan frescoes, where nature was revered as a source of life and spiritual power. This cross-cultural resonance hints at a deeper, shared human experience, a collective memory of our bond with the natural world. The act of drinking tea, elevated to a ritual in many cultures, becomes a vessel for introspection and connection, and this humble bowl, adorned with symbols of nature and time, bridges the gap between the earthly and the transcendent. It’s a poignant reminder of how symbols evolve, resurface, and continue to shape our perceptions.