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

Mesmerizing highly collectible Japanese decorative porcelain vase of exceptional charm, an exhibition piece, stunningly hand-glazed in vivid blue, red and black on a beautifully shap...

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...

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 ...

Outstanding 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 highly acclaim...

Outstanding 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 highly acclaim...

Extraordinary museum quality contemporary Japanese hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase in a stunningly shape in black and brown, a masterpiece by a highly respected master porcelai...

Mesmerizing very large hand-glazed decorative signed porcelain vase/centerpiece in a breathtaking flared shape in red, black and purple, an award-winning exhibition masterpiece by a ...

Very tall Japanese ceramic vase with blue flambe glaze and the winding figure of a dragon. With wooden stand. Vase alone 30 1/2 inches tall. Stand 6 3/...

A bespoken Japanese ceramic glazed tea bowl with fabric insert, pouch and original padded wood tomobako box. The chawan has a slightly irregular wall supported by a high notched foot...