Vase 1890

This vase was made by Kitaro Shirayamadani, likely in the early 20th century, out of glazed earthenware. Look closely, and you can see the artist has rendered daffodils with remarkable plasticity. Think about the processes involved here. The form would have been thrown on a wheel, and then the daffodils painstakingly applied in relief. Note how the glazes pool and gather, creating subtle shifts in tone and texture. Shirayamadani was closely associated with the Rookwood Pottery of Cincinnati, Ohio, which produced some of the most celebrated ceramics of the American Arts and Crafts movement. But Shirayamadani brought his own, distinctly Japanese sensibility to the work. He took inspiration from ancient techniques, especially moriage, or slip decoration, which involves building up layers of clay to create a three-dimensional effect. Consider the extraordinary amount of labor and skill involved in the production of a piece like this. It's a testament to the enduring power of craft in an increasingly industrialized world.