COLLECTOR'S NIGHTMARE?

I realize it will likely sound like I am just droning on again about how differently pots can look from illustration to illustration or in person but I imagine this being the bane of many a collector's nightmares as a piece arrives and looks quite a bit different than expected. I should qualify this and say, this is not always a bad thing but in some instances the variation is too great and the piece is in the end, just not what was anticipated.  

Illustrated is a pot that to be honest at first glance doesn't look like its photo, this Shigaraki mizusashi by Suzuki Shigeji was illustrated in a volume of the GENDAI CHATO TAIKAN, as seen in the upper right corner showing off a nice, grey suit with blue tones and some charcoal effect. What I got to experience first and is to be honest much closer to my photo taken using a single tungsten bulb which is far more suited to the Shigaraki moniker showing everything from wet green to browns of various colors and tones.   

Aside for the color/ photo issues, this Suzuki mizusashi is all about the classics from form and potter's marks to the lid, lid placement and the wood fired surface, all indicative of a Shigaraki inspired traditional piece. Despite the overall appearance, the gallery where the lid fits is encircled with a ring of glass which is a nice detail that welcomes you as soon as you lift the lid. Covered pots have that sense of mystery, "what's in the box" as it were, is it cookies, seeds, dog food, who knows what and little details like a flowing green glass river around the form add to that sense of wonder. If only every lid hid such a surprise and whether by plan of serendipity, Suzuki Shigeji succeeded in adding that right amount of additional wonder to his ritual based wood fired jar.