Vase 19th century

This vase was made in Japan by Makuzu Kōzan I, though the date remains unknown, it is crafted from glazed earthenware. Notice the deep, lustrous green, providing a backdrop for the delicate floral design. This wasn't just painted on. It’s likely the design was achieved through labor-intensive techniques, involving layers of slip, a liquid clay, carefully applied to create a relief effect. This required incredible skill and patience, pointing to a high degree of specialization in Japanese workshops at the time. This object bridges art and craft, and reminds us that so-called "decorative arts" were often made with as much expertise as painting or sculpture. The vase shows how closely craft traditions were tied to social issues of labor, politics, and consumption during this period in Japan. Ultimately, the vase is a celebration of material, skill, and the context that gave rise to it.