Tall Vase with chrysanthemum and bamboo design c. early 20th century

This Tall Vase with chrysanthemum and bamboo design was made with an unknown date by an anonymous artist. I think that the muted palette of celadon and blue is so beautiful, the subtle shades speaking to the natural world. The vase’s surface feels so tactile and alive. I love the way the blue paint runs slightly, creating depth and texture. You can almost feel the hand of the artist as they painted each flower and stem. The brushstrokes have an immediacy, suggesting a sense of spontaneity and flow. Look at how the blue pools in certain areas, giving the design a lively, almost watery quality. It reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler's soak-stain paintings, where she poured thin washes of color onto raw canvas. Ultimately, the vase embodies art’s capacity to invite us into a space of wonder, where fixed meanings dissolve and imagination takes hold.