1890s Antiquities

Christie's: West East The Niall Hobhouse Collection, 2008, Anglo Indian Collection. A fascinating selection of exquisite treasures from both the West...

A gorgeous Chinese flambe glazed vase with molded deer head handles, Qing dynasty, 19th century. The vase of pear shaped archaistic "hu" fo...

Inspired by the Silhouette of a Classic carousel, this portable lamp is authentic in spirit, yet modern in expression. its design is highly intricate, articulated with an outer shade...

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...

This is a beautiful cabinet that evokes the atmosphere of the Taisho period. It is made of lauan and cedar. It is finished with persimmon tannins and soot, which bring out the text...

Japanese antique cabinet. This is not just a traditional tansu (storage chest); it serves as a complete niche that can enhance your interior with its functionality and style, blendin...

This is an antique wooden flower stand from the Meiji period. At the time, it was used as a workbench by craftsmen. There are small marks on it, probably from using a hammer. A clo...

This medicine chest from the Meiji period has 36 small drawers and is highly practical. It can be used for storage, of course, but depending on your ideas, it can also be used for a...

A finely cast Chinese Shang style bronze ritual vessel known as a fangding. With faces on all four sides, this is a wonderful decorative piece which coul...

This antique is just the right size for a storage shelf. This is a rare shelf with flap doors that has a Japanese essence. A flap door is a door that can be opened and stored insid...

This is an antique Japanese-style cabinet made in the Meiji period. The texture of the black lacquer, smoked with soot from the hearth, has a unique depth and charm that is unlike a...

Chinese bronze vase with decoration in the Archaistic style and dragon mythical beast loop handles.