尾形乾山工房作　色絵椿文輪花向付　五客|Set of Five Camellia-Shaped Side Dishes (Mukōzuke) with Camellia Patterns

Ogata Kenzan

18th century · Stoneware with white slip and polychrome overglaze enamels (Kenzan ware) · Asian Art

These vividly colored small side dishes (mukōzuke) were created to enhance the beauty of the food served in them. The entire surface of each vessel was coated in white slip, covered in transparent glaze, and fired. Stencil paper in the shape of camellia flowers was then laid on the surface of each dish to keep the blossoms white while green enamel was brushed on. This application technique derived from stencil dyeing used in textile art.

Artist

Ogata Kenzan

Date

18th century

Medium

Stoneware with white slip and polychrome overglaze enamels (Kenzan ware)

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2019