Paint Scholar's Objects

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...

In the late Qing Dynasty, it was popular to incorporate calligraphy and poetry into ceramics. The piece has a flat, oval shape and was likely used as an inkstone, one of the essentia...

A very finely cast Japanese bronze water coupe in the form of the courtesan Eguchi riding an elephant, signed Kazutada, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The small and elegant bronze water coupe is exquisitely cast to depict a figure of a seated lady reading poetry upon the back of a large recumbent elephant. This image depicts the Courtesan of Eguchi as Fugen Bosatsu...

A pair of blue white porcelain handle Chinese calligraphy brushes. Each handle with 6 hand painted blue and white porcelain oval balls depicting butterflies. Bone ferrule and horse h...

This is an authentic Chinese old jade bi disc from Northwestern China from the Qing dynasty or older. It comes from our private collection. It inc...

A lovely and luxurious Japanese silver incense burner of lobed melon form, akoda koro, marked jungin and signed Nomura, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The silver koro...

A vintage Chinese inside painted frosted glass snuff bottle in tapered cylindrical form, masterfully reverse painted with a sharp clawed, fierce, slithering dragon, partially hidden...

Mint condition From Japan, a hard to find and unusual hand-built, painted and glazed tea bowl featuring "flying bats" - signs of good fortune, created over thirty years ago. A stunn...

A Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll box from the 19th century with distressed gold chinoiserie motifs. This exquisite Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll ...

This is a grouping of three (3) authentic Chinese old jade bi disc from the 20th century. These come from our private collection. Including Our Certificate of Authenticity Dimensi...

This is an antique artist's box. An English, walnut and ebony paint palette case by Winsor & Newton of London, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Appealing Victorian artist's box from a renowned paint supplier Displaying a desirable time worn patina and remnants of enthusiastic use Walnut stocks present fine grain interest and rich caramel hues The lid edge accentuated with an ebonised corner finish Dressed to the fascia with a brass lined lock escutcheon — in working order, key present Interior offers a suite of compartments over pin-secured lower drawer Lift-out paint tray annotated with colour names and several vintage paint pots...

SUISEKI, BEAST – Supernatural abstract stone like a four‐footed creature with completely no processing by human hands, except the arrangement attaching...