Yoshitomo Nara Furniture

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...

1888 Japanese artist made modernist undulating glazed ceramic vase. Makers stamp on bottom

A fine vintage Japanese Kutani porcelain vase. By Mitsui Tamekichi the 3rd (?????3?). Born Mitsui Eiichi in 1935. He met his wife while apprenticing under Kutani master Torijo...

Hand-glazed contemporary decorative porcelain vase in stunning shape in an impressive deep red and black with a beautiful scalloped rim, a masterpiece by a widely acclaimed award-win...

Unique Japanese contemporary matte hand-glazed signed decorative porcelain vase featuring the artist’s signature red, brown and cream colors. Matting of a hand-glazed porcelain is a ...

Extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality exhibition piece hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase/centerpiece in blue and brown, an award-winning masterpiece by a master arti...

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A porcelain vase with dragon motif by Japanese imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), circa 1900s. The vase is made in what is considered early phase of his underglaze period during late Meiji era. In a classic elongated baluster form, the surface of the vase was decorated in an unusual pink mist on a white and aubergine background (called Morotai, the Hazy style), on which a flying dragon is showcased on the center. The dragon was outlined in iron red and filled with the aubergine color and was artistically emphasized on its bulging eyes, claws, scales and a long tail. It was the sole focus of the design circumventing the entire body of the vase. The imagery calls in mind the dragon decoration found in Korean...

Extraordinary Japanese contemporary hand-glazed signed decorative porcelain vase in a stunning black/brown color and zirconium that creates the mesmerizing luster, an award-winning e...

Japanese Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic vase in lotus shape, stamped with mark on the bottom. 9.5" height x 3.25" diameter.

Exquisite contemporary museum-quality hand-glazed decorative porcelain bowl in vibrant red, blue and white on a stunningly shaped body, an exhibition masterpiece by a master porcelai...

A ceramic bowl by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1891 of late Meiji period. A very fine example of the artist's work that belongs to the middle period of his...