Lid for a Teapot with Chrysanthemum Motifs - Seifū Yohei III

A refined porcelain teapot lid featuring a single, delicate chrysanthemum motif by the celebrated Japanese ceramicist Seifū Yohei III.

This fine porcelain lid represents the refined aesthetic of Seifū Yohei III, a master potter who held the title of Imperial Household Artist. The piece displays a minimalist approach to decoration, characteristic of the late Meiji period. A single, stylised chrysanthemum motif is rendered in delicate purple and yellow enamel against a pristine white porcelain surface. The chrysanthemum holds cultural weight in Japan, often associated with the Imperial family and the autumn season.

Seifū Yohei III was known for his technical precision and his ability to balance traditional Japanese forms with subtle, elegant ornamentation. His work often moved away from the more exuberant, heavily decorated styles popular in export wares of the time, favouring a restrained elegance that appealed to connoisseurs of tea ceremony utensils. The composition is deliberately sparse, allowing the quality of the porcelain body and the clarity of the enamel work to take precedence. The small steam vent, a functional necessity for a teapot lid, is integrated into the design without disrupting the visual harmony of the piece.

As a museum-grade print, this image captures the smooth texture of the glazed ceramic and the precise application of the overglaze pigments. The contrast between the stark white background and the soft purple petals provides a study in balance and proportion. This object reflects the high standards of Kyoto ceramic production during the late nineteenth century, where the focus remained on the marriage of utility and artistic expression. By isolating the lid, the viewer can appreciate the subtle curvature and the careful placement of the floral motif, which demonstrates the artist's disciplined approach to decorative space.