MATSUI KŌSEI (1927-2003) A Marbleized Colored-Clay Jar with Floral Patterning Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990Important works of art from an American private collectionMATSUI KŌSEI (1927–2003)A Marbleized Colored-Clay Jar with Floral Patterning Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, circa 1990The multi-colored unglazed clay body marbleized to create floral patterning, signed on the base with a single character KōWood tomobako storage box inscribed Neriage tsubo (Marbleized jar) and signed and sealed Kōsei 8 1/4 x 8 5/8in (20.8 x 22cm)Named a Living National Treasure in 1993, Matsui Kōsei—a Buddhist priest as well as a ceramist—drew inspiration from his research into early Chinese examples of marbleized ware, then developed the technique through a process of experimentation with vibrantly colored clays and glazes, using them to create intricate, highly controlled floral and geometric surface patterns.