Vintage c.1930 Japanese Art Deco Poppy Bowl & Flower Frog Hand-Painted with Gold Luster Interior

For collectors of early 1930s decorative arts, this vividly colored hand-painted bowl represents the exuberant spirit of the Art Deco period at its most expressive.

Crafted in Japan circa 1930, the bowl is richly decorated with sculpted poppies, each carefully hand-painted in saturated cadmium red against a black background.  Strikingly colorful. The blossoms are set against lively foliage in bright lime and deeper kelly greens, all grounded by that bold black background that heightens the contrast and drama of the design.

The exterior surface has a soft, matte finish that allows the sculptural decoration to read clearly, while the interior is finished in a luminous gold luster. 

Accompanying the bowl is its original matching flower frog, also hand-painted and thoughtfully designed. The frog is fashioned into a just-opening blossom, with a warm golden center darkened by a hand-applied brown wash. The design allows flower stems to disappear visually into the living floral arrangement; a characteristic feature of Japanese flower frogs of the period. The frog is also made to be reversible, offering two configurations making this bowl adaptable to a variety of floral displays.

Both decorative and functional, the bowl works equally well as a centerpiece, flower arrangement vessel, or display object...or even a serving bowl.

Its bold color palette and gold interior also lend themselves beautifully to seasonal use, particularly during holidays.

This piece reflects the same design sensibility seen across Art Deco interiors, posters, and textiles of the early 1930s, when color, surface, and form were embraced as part of daily life.

Condition

Excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, crazing, or repairs. The hand-painted decoration remains vivid and intact, with no fading or wear. The gold luster interior is bright and well preserved. The flower frog is original to the set and matches the bowl in both condition and decoration. Overall, the set appears to have seen little, if any, use.

Measurements

• Bowl: approximately 8.25" (21 cm) in diameter and 3.5" (9 cm) tall

• Flower frog: approximately 2" (5 cm) high and 3" (7.5 cm) in diameter

Red backstamp with bird reads “Handpainted, Made in Japan.”

Related Research & Publication

This object reflects the broader decorative arts context explored in Juicy History.
https://juicyhistory.substack.com