Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912) / c. 1887
Sake Pourer with Chrysanthemum, Orchid, and Plum
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Sake Pourer with Chrysanthemum, Orchid, and Plum as ceramic (Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912) · c. 1887).
This sake pourer is decorated with the Chinese theme of the Four Nobles, in which the qualities of a good person are represented by plant.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as Porcelain with underglaze blue and credits Seifū Yohei III (Japanese, 1851–1914).
The museum's collection notes: Seifū Yohei II and his successor, Seifū Yohei III, trained in ink painting. Their brush skills are seen in their underglaze cobalt blue designs. Orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum, appearing on Yohei III’s sake pourer, are known as the Four Gentlemen. They symbolize the virtues of humility, integrity, endurance, and perseverance.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtSake Pourer with Chrysanthemum, Orchid, and PlumOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.