Philip Hafferty
Junior Specialist
Important works of art from an American private collection
Lot 817
MATSUI KŌSEI (1927–2003)
A Marbleized Colored-Clay Jar with Floral Patterning
Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990
Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990
22 March 2023, 10:00 EDT
New YorkUS$7,000 - US$10,000
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Jeff Olson
Director
MATSUI KŌSEI (1927–2003)
A Marbleized Colored-Clay Jar with Floral Patterning
Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990
The multi-colored unglazed clay body marbleized to create floral patterning, signed on the base with a single character Kō
Wood tomobako storage box inscribed Neriage tsubo (Marbleized jar) and signed and sealed Kōsei
8 1/4 x 8 5/8in (20.8 x 22cm)
Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990
The multi-colored unglazed clay body marbleized to create floral patterning, signed on the base with a single character Kō
Wood tomobako storage box inscribed Neriage tsubo (Marbleized jar) and signed and sealed Kōsei
8 1/4 x 8 5/8in (20.8 x 22cm)
Footnotes
Named a Living National Treasure in 1993, Matsui Kōsei—a Buddhist priest as well as a ceramist—drew inspiration from his research into early Chinese examples of marbleized ware, then developed the technique through a process of experimentation with vibrantly colored clays and glazes, using them to create intricate, highly controlled floral and geometric surface patterns.