Teabowl 1540 - 1560

This 16th-century Japanese teabowl, known as a *chawan*, was created by the Widow of Ameya, a renowned potter. Made of stoneware with a dark brown glaze, the *chawan* showcases the rustic aesthetic prized in the *wabi-sabi* tradition, emphasizing imperfection and the passage of time. The bowl's uneven surface and subtle cracks are not flaws, but rather a testament to its history and handcrafted nature. Currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this small yet significant vessel exemplifies the simple elegance of Japanese tea ceremony.