Bowl (Flower Holder)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Bronze with enamel inlay
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); L. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.473
Art Historical Context
This delicate bronze bowl, known as a *Flower Holder*, hails from 19th-century Japan, crafted during the late Edo period (1615–1868) or early Meiji era (1868–1912). Measuring just 3⅛ inches high and 8¼ inches long, its elongated, boat-like form was designed to gracefully support floral arrangements, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—celebrating simplicity and natural imperfection. The unknown artisan's mastery shines in the enamel inlay technique, where vibrant colored enamels are meticulously fused into incised bronze surfaces, creating intricate patterns that catch the light and ...