Oribe-Type Ewer

Oribe-Type Ewer

Unknown artist

The military general Furuta Oribe (1544–1615) was a tea connoisseur whose style of presentation at tea gatherings catered to the samurai class and rulers of 17th-century Japan. In contrast to his predecessors, Oribe preferred tea wares that were bold and eccentric rather than subtle and rustic. He was the first to recognize the beauty of artfully misshapen ceramics for use in tea gatherings.

Details

Dimensions
26.7 × 21.6 cm (10 1/2 × 8 1/2 in.)
Origin
Japan
Department
Arts of Asia
Holding institution
Art Institute of Chicago
Image provider
art-institute-chicago
License
CC0-1.0
Credit
Gift of Robert Allerton

Art Genome Taxonomy

9 tags

Subject Matter

  • Flora Both · 92%

    The catalog specifically identifies plum blossoms, and flower-like motifs are clearly visible on the vessel’s body.

Visual Qualities

  • Patterns Both · 98%

    The catalog identifies lattice, tortoiseshell, wheel, and floral motifs; the image visibly shows repeated linear, geometric, and floral patterning across the body and lid.

  • Asymmetrical Both · 90%

    The catalog describes slightly off-kilter or distorted forms, and the image shows an irregular body, handle, lid, and spout rather than strict geometric regularity.

  • Curvilinear Forms Visual · 88%

    The arched handle, rounded body, looped lid finial, and bent spout create prominent curved contours.

Medium and Techniques

  • Glass and Ceramics Both · 94%

    The object is cataloged as glazed stoneware and visibly has a fired ceramic surface with a glossy green and pale glaze.

Time Periods

  • 17th Century Art Metadata · 99%

    The catalog dates the ewer to 1601–1625, within the 17th century.

Geographic Regions

  • Japanese Art Metadata · 99%

    The catalog gives Japan as the place of origin and identifies the work with Japanese Oribe ware.

Materials

  • Ceramic Both · 99%

    The catalog identifies the medium as glazed stoneware and classifies the work as ceramics; the image shows a fired ceramic body with a glossy glaze.

Tableware, Vessels, and Objects

  • Vessel Metadata · 99%

    The museum classifies the object as an ewer and vessel; the image clearly shows a container with a lid, handle, and pouring spout.

Source & rights

Japan. Oribe-Type Ewer. The Art Institute of Chicago.