Untitled

Unknown

early 19th century · Stoneware with crackled glaze (Satsuma ware) · Asian Art

The eggplant-shaped sake bottle might have been part of a portable lacquer picnic box (sagejū). Its surface is covered in an iridescent glaze that resembles the skin of the vegetable. In 1867 the Satsuma domain exhibited its wares to great acclaim at the Paris Exposition, where Moore could have seen them. His taste for colored surfaces like this led Moore to experiment tirelessly to create purple and red tones in his silver designs.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 19th century

Medium

Stoneware with crackled glaze (Satsuma ware)

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891