Double-Mouthed Ceramic Art Vase, Japan

This Japanese ceramic art vase is a powerful work in which a modern sculptural sensibility meets traditional craft. Its most captivating features are its unconventional “double-mouth” design and its dynamic contrasting blocks of colour, showing the deep accomplishment of modern Japanese ceramics in pursuing an “aesthetic of irregularity.” It is not just a vase but a three-dimensional artwork capable of defining the character of a space. What is most striking about this vase is how boldly it breaks the traditional constraint that ceramic vessels must be “symmetrical.” The upper half of the body is covered in a rich, lava-like reddish-brown glaze, smooth in texture yet thick with the feel of the hand, contrasting vividly, as solid against void, with the intricate butterfly motif on the lower half. The dense incised lines seem to freeze the moment of spring flowers in full bloom within the clay, conveying a vitality that is tranquil yet surging.

Price NT$ 4,800 ≈ US$ 150(Approximate amount; actual prices are in New Taiwan Dollars)
Dimensions
L 17.5 × W 17.5 × H 48.5 cm
Category
Vintage Vases
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Features

1. An ingenious twin-mouth form

Unlike a conventional symmetrical cylindrical vase, this piece takes the very unusual form of two mouths joined into one. The body rises into two asymmetrical openings with flowing, rhythmic curves. The design adds interest and layering to an arrangement, since two kinds of material can be shown at once, and left empty it still stands as a forward-looking modern sculpture.

2. Deep red glaze set against finely painted pattern

The upper half of the body carries a thick, deeply coloured red-brown glaze with the natural texture of rust; the lower half is painted in a dark glaze with dense flowers or butterflies. This strong visual contrast between heavy blocks of colour and fine drawn line creates an atmosphere at once composed and opulent, with considerable decorative tension.

3. Grand proportions, nearly 50 cm

At 48.5 cm tall this counts as a medium-to-large piece among art vases and has a strong presence in a room. The body is full and the base steady, so whether it stands on the floor or on a large side cabinet it carries a striking air of grandeur.

Specifications

Dimensions L 17.5 × W 17.5 × H 48.5 cm