Water Pot
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Clay decorated on a white glaze (Kyoto ware)
Dimensions
H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Colman, 1893
Accession Number
93.1.181a, b
Art Historical Context
This elegant **Water Pot**, crafted in 19th-century Japan, exemplifies the refined artistry of Kyoto ware, a prestigious style of ceramics produced in Kyoto. Standing at 7 1/2 inches (19.1 cm) tall, it a clay body adorned with intricate decorations over a pristine white glaze, showcasing the kilns' mastery of subtle elegance and technical precision. Kyoto ware, often associated with overglaze enameling techniques, was prized for its luminous surfaces and delicate motifs, making pieces like this ideal for tea ceremonies or floral arrangements (known as *mizusashi*). During Japan's Meiji era (1...