Japan, Taishō period (1912–26) or Shōwa period (1926–89) / 1914–46
Vase with Plum Blossoms
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Vase with Plum Blossoms as ceramic (Japan, Taishō period (1912–26) or Shōwa period (1926–89) · 1914–46).
Yohei IV’s allover design of budding and flowering plum blossoms, strongly associated with spring and with China, is combined with his father’s “water color” glaze on this vase.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as Glazed porcelain with molded and carved design and credits Seifū Yohei IV (Japanese, 1872–1951).
The museum's collection notes: Although inspired by representations of flowering plum, or prunus, in Chinese ceramics, the dense allover design of branches on this vase also resembles Japanese textile patterns. As they might on a kimono, the trunks run in alternate directions up and down the surface. At the foot, or bottom of the vase, is a classic band of spirals, and at the neck, or narrowed portion near the opening, is a collar of clouds.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtVase with Plum BlossomsOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.