Japanese Parrot Flower Frog, Japan, circa 1930s–40s

Story

A 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.

The 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.

Originally 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.

This 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.

Origin

Made 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.

Condition

Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear, surface variation and irregularities to the glaze.

Minor 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.

Dimensions

6 in. high × approximately 4 in. wide at the widest point.

Sourcing Note

Found in Hudson, New York.

This 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.

I 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.

A very Atlas & Arden kind of find: useful, characterful and just a little peculiar.

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