Large Japanese Awaji Pottery Chrysanthemum Vase

Large Awaji pottery drip vase with thick, multicolored lava glaze suspended above the unglazed lower portion of the vase. Impressed four character mark on side of base. Drill hole pr...

Antique Awaji pottery vase in terrific swirled petal form in green monochrome glaze. Measures: 11 1/2" high, 5" diameter. Unmarked. Excellent condition.

Antique Awaji pottery Art Nouveau form vase with four willowy handles emanating from a squared shoulder in deep green glaze, circa 1910. Measures: 14 1/2" high, 7 1/2" diameter. Dri...

Large Kyoto region Awaji floor vase in bright yellow crackle glaze with cold painted dark red lacquer decoration, circa 1910s. Measures: 37" high, 15" diameter. Fine hairline at rim,...

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...

A impressively large and unusual stoneware vase in an urn shape 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 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. This vase is dated to the end of Makuzu's life circa 1910-1916 based on similar work created around that time. After achieving domestic and international fame, Makuzu retired and handed the business to his son Hanzan in 1912. He dedicated his time to other selected projects that were more in tune with Japanese sensibility than export aesthetic. He made a group of stoneware pottery pieces inspired by Edo master like Ninsei and Kenzan as well as his own poetic creation. This piece is attributed to that period. Standing of an impressive size, this vase is more like an urn, made with stoneware instead of porcelain. It was coated with a brown iron glaze with a slight translucent quality. Underglaze whit slips were used to draw low relief decoration of bamboo leaves that sparsely scatter on the surface. Slightly more elaborate scrolling vines and autumn flowers circles under the mouth rim. Same white slip inlay was used to sign the vase under the base. The whole effect of the piece is unusual. With its dark glaze in contrast with the sparse white decoration that is more abstract and geometric than realistic, it appears almost modern with an Art Deco flavor. For stoneware urn and vase in the similar genre by Makuzu Kozan: see figure 113 on page 182 of "Sekai ni Aisa Reta ya Kimono" MIYAGAWA KOZAN MAKUZU...

A large Japanese ceramic vase from the end of Meiji period circa 1890-1910s by Kinkozan (1645-1927). One of the largest studio manufacturers of the export ceramics at the time based in Kyoto. In the typical style of satsuma made at the turn of 20th century, the vase is elaborately decorated with a rather unusual kinran-de (gold paint) and green enamel highlight on a mottled brown background. The painterly decoration depicts a large seasonal floral arrangement in a circular fashion. Besides the obviously superb craftsmanship, what sets this particular vase apart from many lower quality and mass-produced pieces is its tone-on-tone color pallet that is visually somber and the small and sensitive details that heralds the change of the seasons. When the viewer goes beyond the first casual glimpse of the blossom and foliage, one would notice that on the edges of certain leaves as well as along the stalks, there accumulates a very thin layer of the white dust that represents the frost. The flower in bloom are chrysanthemums. Despite of being splendid, they are the messengers of the autumn. The large lotus leaf was subtly rendered in a bended and slightly withered manner, just past its prime. Although the lotus is still in bloom, the prominent seed pod indicates it may be the last for the season. The sentimental capture of the change of the seasons is not unusual in Japanese art. This vase poetically represents such a subtle transition from summer to fall, perhaps depicting the very first frost. The neck of the vase is also slightly unusual with two rolled rings...

A rare porcelain vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1870-81 (late Meiji period). The vase is dated to the earlier work from Kozan's studio during his early period (Takauki-ware p...