Jar
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Clay covered with a mottled glaze (Shidoro ware)
Dimensions
H. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Colman, 1893
Accession Number
93.1.144
Art Historical Context
This delicate jar, crafted in 19th-century Japan during the late Edo (1615–1868) or early Meiji (1868–1912) period, the refined artistry of Shidoro ceramics. Standing just 5⅛ inches (13 cm) tall, it is formed from clay and coated with a distinctive mottled glaze that an mesmerizing, oil-spot-like effect—shimmering hues of blue, purple, and silver dancing across its surface. Such small vessels were often used for storing precious teas, cosmetics, or medicines, blending everyday utility with aesthetic elegance. Shidoro ware, named after its glossy, droplet-patterned glaze (shidoro meaning "oil ...