Japanese Porcelain Dragon Glazed Vase Mazuku Kozan

A porcelain vase with dragon design 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 baluster form, the surface of the vase was decorated with a slithering dragon in underglaze iron red circulating the exterior among pink clouds. The animated rendering of the dragon is fine and detailed, with five claws, scales, long tails and highlighted eyes. The pink cloud is misty and called Morotai or the hazy style, created with a unique technique developed in Kozan's studio called fuki-e by blowing the pigment powders onto the surface. Kozan Studio experimented with newly available colors from the west starting in the 1880s, which resulted in the expansion of the palette and style that bridged the east and west aesthetic tradition. Marked in underglaze blue on the base. Known also as Miyagawa Kozan...

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 around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artist 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. With an impressively large size, this vase was likely made and reserved as a presentation piece for one of the many expositions the studio participated in the early 20th century. It was decorated with underglaze cobalt blue using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking dimensional literary landscape known as "Mountain and Water". 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 Taikan...

A fabulous pair of small Chinese molded and glazed biscuit ware porcelain dragon vases with loose eyes and apocryphal Qianlong mark, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small ...

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...