When was "Tea Jar" created?

This artwork was created 18th century.

Is "Tea Jar" in the public domain?

Yes, Tea Jar is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Tea Jar

Q: What medium is "Tea Jar"?

Tea Jar is Clay covered with glaze and an overglaze; two-handled with left-handed itogiri (Takatori ware).

Unknown Artist

18th century

Medium

Clay covered with glaze and an overglaze; two-handled with left-handed itogiri (Takatori ware)

Dimensions

H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

Classification

Ceramics

Culture & Period

Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)

Department

Asian Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Colman, 1893

Accession Number

93.1.229a, b

Art Historical Context

This delicate **Tea Jar** from 18th-century Japan exemplifies the refined artistry of the Edo period (1615–8), a time when tea culture flourished among samurai, merchants, and scholars. Crafted by an unknown artist in theatori ware tradition—one of Japan's historic kilns in Fukuoka Prefecture—this petite vessel (just 3½ inches tall) was designed for storing precious matcha powder used in the chanoyu tea ceremony. Its two handles and compact form made it practical for the intimate ritual, embodying the wabi-sabi aesthetic of humble beauty and impermanence. Takatori ware is renowned for its rus...

Tea Jar

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