Bottle vase
(1955)
Medium
stoneware
Measurements
23.5 × 22.6 × 10.6 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation from the Bequest of Kenneth Hood, Founder Benefactor, 2003
© Kawai Kanjiro Estate
Gallery location
Level 1, NGV International
About this work
During the twentieth century, Kawai Kanjirō was one of the main artists responsible for preserving ancient Japanese ceramic techniques and historical folk aesthetics. He also developed his own distinctive style, which continues to inspire ceramicists today. Working with a climbing (dragon) kiln in Kyoto, Kawai produced simple, traditionally influenced slab-moulded bottles, vases, boxes and dishes. Created using flat pieces of clay shaped by moulds, his works feature a decoration style of raised lines and smooth areas of glazed colour. Kawai’s interest in Buddhist traditions can be seen in this vase’s decoration of stylised blossoming flowers, like those often found in the hand of a compassionate bodhisattva (enlightened being).
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Kyoto, Japan
Accession Number
2003.125
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited