Seiko Minegishi took the shape of this vase from classic Song dynasty Guan wares, which themselves borrowed from archaic Chinese bronze vessels, or gu. The wide foot and pronounced ridges on the lower section give this vase a sense of stability. But the strict lines are relieved by the gentle flaring outwards to a mouth that opens like a flower.

Known for his remarkable celadons, this piece is an example of Minegishi’s classic jade-like green. He fluted the body so that you can see the dark clay body at the top of each ridge. But in between, the glaze is thicker, and the celadon crystallizes in beautiful natural formations, a signature of Minegishi’s.

One of the more interesting features of this vase is the unglazed ceramic disc. Acting as a kind of collar, it sits inside the vase’s neck, resting on top of three unglazed areas where the celadon slumped during firing to create a natural shelf. This disc braces and keeps flower stems upright, preventing them from resting against the vase’s sides. Whatever flowers you place in this piece end up accenting Minegishi’s elegant flaring mouth and rolling rim.

Comes with the signed, stamped, and titled wood box, stamped wrapping cloth, CV, and ceramic disc.