Japanese Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period

On offer is a rare ceramic bowl with overglazed design by the famed Japanese ceramic artist Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), circa 1906-1916. The bowl is rather unusual from the potter's repertoire with its unique glaze colors and decoration, and it likely belonged to a small series that Kozan made in and after 1906. A bowl of similar glaze and nearly identical dragon motif was recorded as a diplomatic present to the British royalty Arthur Connaught (1883-1932) when he represented King Gorge V in Japan in 1906. Other pieces, such as this bowl, were likely made with similar materials and designs afterwards. Essentially round in form, the bowl has a generous volume with six harmonious lobes. The bottom of the interior showcases a coiled dragon in red, green and gold slithering on a cobalt blue background. The roundel shares an echoing lobed perimeter, which is further outlined by red and turquois bands and rising sun design. The exterior of the bowl features six stylized Japanese camellias...

A striking blue and white vase from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan, also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama circa 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. Of a relatively large size, this vase is decorated with underglaze cobalt blue using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting). As a result, the bamboos appear took on a three-dimensional quality as if appearing in a mist. Known as one of the most creative ceramists, circa 1887, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze. New colors allowed him to create underglaze design 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 Taikan...

A Japanese long neck porcelain vase circa 1900-1910s by the studio of Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected Japanese ceramist from the end of Meiji Period. Commonly known as Makuzu Kozan, which also appears as the signature on his work, his originally birth name was Miyagawa Toranosuke. He was the appointed artist to the Japanese Imperial household and his work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century. This vase features an elegant Classic form with a slender neck and slightly flared mouth above a baluster body. It was finely painted with two swimming carps in a copper red underglaze among green ribbons like waves. The background display a brilliant verdant green overall, Around the fish a poetic hazy effect was emphasized for a visual complexity by Fuki-e (the blow painting), an invention in Kozan's studio. The new technical development of chemical colors from the west was embraced circa 1900s in Kozan studio. This empowered the more creative experiments with not only colors, but also concept of dimension, which led Makuzu Kozan's work to become a bridge between East and West aesthetics. This is particularly evident in this vase with the Masterly details of the brush strokes, the expertly employment of gradient of color, and a very realistic and detailed rendering of the fish and their vivid motions. For two similar examples of Kozan's work with similar carps decoration, see Page 148-149 of the book: Sekai ni Aisa Reta ya Kimono Miyagawa Kozan Makuzu...

A finely decorated and glazed Japanese porcelain vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1900s Meiji Period. The vase is of a classic bottle form with baluster body and short neck. It was decorated with underglaze white magnolia blossom on a pleasant celadon background. The stamens of the flower were artistically rendered in a low relief, giving the design a realistic appeal with the dimension. Miyagawa Kozan...

Two small nearly identical ceramic vases by Japanese Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), circa 1890-1900s. The vases were made in the form of jarlet with swelled shoulder...

A large Japanese ceramic vase by the celebrated Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1880-1890s. Dated to his underglaze phase post 1887 after he successfully mastered the new colors available from the west and used them to the best advantage in his work deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics. The vase has an impressive size and was potted in the classic baluster form with an elegant proportion. The surface is decorated using a combination of techniques of low relief sculpturing...

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this tapering square form Meiji Period 1868-1912, ceramic vase from the studios of the highly coveted Imperi...

Decorated in iron-red and green enamels with an overall design of three shish frolicking with a brocade ball, signed on the base with an impressed seal Makuzu. The storage box ti...

Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma large square bowl Antique early Meiji Period 15" square with scalloped rim Satsuma bowl. Highly unusual and finely painted. ...

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this charming Meiji Period 1868-1912, ceramic baluster vase from the studios of the highly coveted Imperial ...

Meiji period large Japanese Imari bowl centerpiece This large, distinctive, octagonal porcelain Imari bowl is painted in rich, inky blue, co...

A beautiful handmade handled bowl by well-known Japanese ceramic artist Makuzu Kozan II, son of Makuzu Kozan who was appointed artist to the Japanese Imperial household and was one o...