Teabowl 19th century

This 19th-century teabowl, known as a *chawan*, was crafted by the Japanese potter Mitsutada Ohi (1835–1896). Characterized by its rustic, ash-glazed surface and slightly rounded form, the *chawan* is a testament to the understated beauty of Japanese ceramics. The *chawan* is a central element in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where it serves as a vessel for whisking and consuming matcha, a powdered green tea. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York houses this piece, which measures 4 1/4 inches in height and diameter.