Small Vase 1820

This small vase was made by Zenshiro, using both clay and paint. It's hard to tell from the photograph precisely how this object was formed, but its perfectly symmetrical shape suggests it was probably made on a potter’s wheel, or possibly by slip-casting, in which liquid clay is poured into a mold. What interests me most about this object is the painted decoration, depicting flowers and foliage. Painting onto ceramics requires a steady hand and detailed knowledge of the materials. Each stroke of the brush had to be precisely considered, so that the image would be just as the artist intended, once fired. Even in monochrome we can see the sensitivity of Zenshiro’s decoration, achieved through mastery of the materials. The vase invites us to appreciate the skills of the maker, and to consider ceramics not just as functional objects, but also as works of art.