Ernest Johnson Antiques Ceramics

A good pair of large antique Japanese Meiji period porcelain lidded jars, circa 1880. The jars having ribbed dome shaped lids topped with lion-dog (Komainu) finials, the baluster shaped jars also of corresponding ribbed form. The lids and jars are skillfully hand-decorated in the Imari palette with blue & iron red floral decoration over a white body, on one side are a pair of floral cartouches on another side is a fan shaped cartouche. Condition is very good indeed, no damage or restoration, a very handsome pair of 19th century Japanese Imari lidded jars...

A Large Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Covered Vases/Pot-Pouries, with Daoist Emblem Cartouches. Each vase is made of famille verte porc...

A monumental Chinese famille rose porcelain "Peacock" palace vase, Republic period. Magnificent quality and palace sized Chinese hu-form vase with side h...

Meiji Period (1868-1912) From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Vases. The Satsuma Vase of hexagonal form with a slight waisted neck and tight rounded rim is extensively decorated with multiple figures to two large scenes. The first scene features a beach with waves to the background and a plethora of figures including multiple geisha holding traditional Japanese wagasa’s. The second scene follows on from the first with a large building in the foreground holding figures on a large platform under a pagoda roof with a pagoda building in the background and further figures in the foreground. The scenes are framed by a full detailed border with gilt shapes, flowers amongst pink shaded backgrounds and butterflies around the neck. The Satsuma Vase is unusually signed Fine Art, Satsuma Ware, Dai Nippon (Great Japan), Hattori Made, Gosuido Works, Taizan Painted. 美術, サツマヤキ(薩摩焼), 大日本, 服部造, 五スイ堂工, 對山画 and dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the turn of the 20th century circa 1905. Satsuma ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. Wagasa are traditional Japanese umbrellas made of washi paper attached to a bamboo frame and treated to ensure it is waterproof. Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era. Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist...

A very nicely decorated set of 6 plates. Dating to circa 1720-1740 A scene of peony Peony Peony - Mu-Dan - Queen of Flowers, the peony is a emblem of wealth and distinction....

A fine pair of Monumental antique Chinese late Qing dynasty period Famille Rose Porcelain vases. The vases of baluster form with applied handles modeled as dragons, each vase is very finely a hand-painted with polychrome scenes of immortal figures in a garden setting. Each vase having a red Qianlong six character mark to the base. Excellent condition, no damage or retoration. This monumental pair of antique...

JAPANESE SATSUMA PROCESSIONAL VASE From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this Japanese Satsuma Vase by Kinkozan. The vase with a compressed body ...

A fantastic pair of Chinese molded and glazed biscuit porcelain vases with leaping dragon fish or makara, late Qing dynasty, circa 1900. The vases of balu...

A gorgeous Chinese monochrome red flambé glazed bottle vase, called a tianqiuping, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century. The voluptuous body o...

Pair of large Chinese Canton famille verte ormolu mounted porcelain vases Chinese, 19th century Measures: height 107cm, diameter 37cm This magnificent pair of Chinese vases, fro...

Beautiful set of two matching Qing Dynasty porcelain vases. These vase are both in good condition and add absolute great value to your interior.   

Pair of large Canton style famille rose Chinese porcelain vases. Qing Dynasty, late 19th century Measures: height 65cm, diameter 25cm Crafted from porcelain and executed in the so called 'famille rose' style, these large Canton vases...