{"product_id":"japanese-parrot-flower-frog-japan-circa-1930s-40s","title":"Japanese Parrot Flower Frog, Japan, circa 1930s–40s","description":"\u003ch3\u003eStory\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA wonderfully eccentric Japanese glazed earthenware flower frog, modeled as a brightly colored parrot perched atop an organic, tree-stump-like base pierced for individual stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bird is rendered in deep blue, green, red and yellow glaze, set against a mottled olive-brown base. The contrast gives the piece a wonderfully graphic quality — cheerful, sculptural and just strange enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally a practical device for holding stems in place, the flower frog became something much more decorative in the early 20th century, when makers began shaping them as animals, figures and small pieces of sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis example sits squarely in that tradition. Used with a handful of flowers, the openings allow individual stems to be arranged around the base. Left empty, it works equally well as a small piece of decorative sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMade in Japan, circa 1930s–40s, this piece is crafted from glazed earthenware and stamped “Made in Japan” to the underside. Its hand-worked form, expressive glazing and whimsical subject are characteristic of the decorative ceramics exported from Japan during the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGood vintage condition with age-appropriate wear, surface variation and irregularities to the glaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMinor glaze wear, firing irregularities and signs of use are present throughout and are consistent with the age and character of the piece. Please review all photographs carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 in. high × approximately 4 in. wide at the widest point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSourcing Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFound in Hudson, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis was one of those objects I noticed immediately because I couldn’t quite decide what it was — part flower frog, part vase, part sculpture. The parrot provides the charm, but it was the wonderfully strange, almost geological base and its constellation of openings that really drew me in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI especially like objects whose original function is still apparent but no longer defines them. Add a few loose stems and this becomes a remarkably playful centerpiece; leave it empty and it is eccentric enough to hold its own entirely as sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA very Atlas \u0026amp; Arden kind of find: useful, characterful and just a little peculiar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the road: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/field-notes\/hudson-new-york\"\u003eHudson \u0026amp; the Hudson Valley Field Notes →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atlas \u0026 Arden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49342517248244,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/6321\/6372\/files\/atlas-arden-japanese-parrot-flower-frog_b694dade-0b0b-4940-96bd-f84ae4d277d8.png?v=1788829582","url":"https:\/\/atlasandarden.com\/products\/japanese-parrot-flower-frog-japan-circa-1930s-40s","provider":"Atlas \u0026 Arden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}