Vase with cover

Art Historical Context

**Vase with Cover** by Seiriucho Hidet is a delicate gem of 19th-century metalwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Asian Art Department. Crafted from iron, this petite vessel measures just 5 inches (12.7 cm) in height and 2¾ inches (7 cm) in diameter, with a fitted cover that underscores the artisan's precision. Its modest scale suggests it was intended for intimate settings, perhaps adorning a scholar's desk or enhancing a tea ceremony alcove. In late Edo-period Japan (extending into the early Meiji era), iron metalwork flourished as artisans transformed a sturdy, everyday material into objects of refined beauty. Hidetoshi's creation exemplifies this tradition, where forging techniques produced functional yet sculptural forms valued for their tactile quality and subtle elegance. Iron's durability made it ideal for decorative wares that blended utility with artistry, reflecting Japan's deep appreciation for craftsmanship (takumi). A highlight of The Howard Mansfield Collection—gifted to the Met in 1936—this vase invites visitors to marvel at the understated sophistication of Japanese design, where simplicity reveals profound skill and cultural harmony.