Raku Kichizaemon XI Keinyu

A wonderful Japanese Kutani porcelain incense burner, koro, in the form of a treasure ship, Takarabune, Taisho Period (1912 - 1926), Japan. The censer boldly modeled as the legendary Takarabune, or Treasure Ship, a mythical ship said to carry the shichifukujin, the Seven Lucky Gods, around the heavens during the first days of the New Year, visiting lucky humans to bring blessings and prosperity. The black bodied, single mast ship sails on the water, its sail full of wind and decorated with the character "takara", meaning treasure. The pierced top of the ship serving as the cover for the censer. It is loaded with magical items and treasure, most prominently, a large coral branch...

From our most recent Japanese acquisitions Rare Hand-Painted Double Tea Master Scroll (2) entitled: Tea Ceremony Rules of Matsudaira Fumai (1751-1818) Includes a later wooden col...

On offer is a Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) used in the traditional chado ceremony. The bowl was potted in clog form with a ring foot shaved extremely low. Its size and harmonious proportion make it perfect to be held in both hands during chado. Classified as shino ware...

A fine antique Chinese coral glazed porcelain brush washer or inkwell decorated with a bamboo sprig and dating from the early Guangxu reign 1875-...

A modern Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) made by potter Toyoda Katsuhiko (1945-). The bowl was potted in clog form with a short ring foot in the tradition of Shino ware...

A very fine and attractive pair of graduated Chinese turquoise glazed dogs of foo figures dating from the first half of the 20th century. The hollow biscui...

A wonderfully glazed, impeccably made Chawan tea bowl by famed Japanese master potter the 13th Kichizaemon Raku, Seinyu (1887-1944) who was the eldest son of Konyu - the 12th Kichizaemon of the Raku family line of potters - known as the most noted and celebrated tradition of pottery within the world of Japanese tea. Kichizaemon Raku was the 13th master to carry on the family's esteemed name and tradition. The bowl features shifting textures and deep, rich colours which radiate in the light. The term "Raku" was derived from the site where clay was dug in Kyoto in the late 16th century. The Kanji character for Raku translates to "enjoyment" or "fun/delightful" For 15 generations it has been the title and seal used by a lineage of potters whose work formed the central tradition in Japan. This lineage believes that 'Raku' refers to the potters who use the technique, not the technique itself. In the 16th century, the first of these potters, Chojiro is said to have come under the patronage of the Japanese tea master, Sen-No-Rikyu. According to legend, in 1598 a few years after Chojiro's death, ruler, Hideyoshi Toyotomi bestowed upon his adopted son, Jokei, a golden seal with the written symbol "Raku." Both the name and the ceramic style have been passed down through the family to the present ever since. The name and the style of ware have become influential in both Japanese culture and literature. Raku ware marked an important point in the historical development of Japanese ceramics, as it was the first ware to use a seal mark and the first to focus on close collaboration between potter and patron. Other famous Japanese clay artists...

A rare and attractive pair Chinese Qing Jun-ware Foo dogs decorated in liver red glazes and dating from around 1850. The porcelain dogs are heavily made and stand raised on rectangul...

A very fine pair antique Chinese Kangxi porcelain famille verte Buddhist Lion joss stick holders dating between 1662 and 1722. The dogs sit raised on...

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...

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 small Korean ceramic water dropper in square form circa 19th century late Joseon Dynasty. It features an underglaze blue painting of a full cluster of ...