Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Large Japanese Ceramic Vase by Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period

About the Item

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 and underglaze paint to depict a copper red dragon slithering in the fish-scale waves, which was meticulously carved and covers the background of the entire vase. The five-clawed dragon nearly wrapped around and circumvent the vase. Around the short neck and the mouth, cloud patterns were created using a cobalt blue underglaze. The vase has a striking presence: its proportion, texturized surface, the composition which leaves much negative space, and the contrast of the blue and copper red with the white carving, all come together in this piece of ceramic art. Similar creation with carved surface by Makuzu Kozan is not very common and the research indicates that they were made in the early period of his underglaze phase during his long career. Reference: A very similar vase was recorded and dated between Meiji 23rd to 28th year (1889-1895; see last two photos). For another jar by Makuzu Kozan decorated with entwined dragons on a stylized wave ground in the Khalili Collection, see Oliver Impey et al., The Nasser D. Khalili Collection, vol.5, Ceramics, Part I: Porcelain, London, Kibo Foundation, 1995, cat no. 12.
  • Creator:
    Makuzu Kozan (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Diameter: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Style:
    Meiji (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1880s-1890s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Fine condition, a drilled hole through the base as shown.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU945033492872

More From This Seller

View All
Fine Japanese Ceramic Vase Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Porcelain Vase Meiji Period Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Large Japanese Porcelain Dragon Vase by Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Made by the studio of the legendary Japanese imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), this is a large porcelain vase glazed in a soft yellow color with a subtle gradient, on top of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Porcelain Vase Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
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...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Ceramic Vase with Delicate Carvings by Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A delicate and rare Japanese ceramic vase by the important Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1887-1910. Dated to his underglaze phase post 1887 after he successful...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

One of The Two Japanese Ceramic Vases Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
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...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

You May Also Like

Large Japanese Meiji Period Imari Vase, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive fine quality 19th century Imari vase, with hand painted classical floral motif and inset panels painting of playful Foo Dogs. Japan, Meiji period, late 19th c...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Large Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in London, GB
Of ovoid form, with a narrow neck and outward flaring rim, on dark blue ground depicting wisteria blossoms in white and purple cascading from the shoulder with birds throughout and w...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Meiji period Satsuma earthenware floor vase, the of baluster form, painted in pastel overglaze enamels and gilding with two large sprays of flowers including prunus blossom, ...
Category

Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Meiji period Satsuma earthenware floor vase, the skittle shaped body painted in pastel overglaze enamels and gilding with a continuous frieze of the Seven Gods...
Category

Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Satsuma Earthenware Vase, by Kinkozan, Japanese, Meiji Period
By Satsuma
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Satsuma Earthenware Vase, by Kinkozan, Japanese, Meiji period (1868-1912) decorated in polychrome enamels and gilt over a clear, crackled glaze, delicately painted with ladies and men, the reverse with a flowering garden with sprays of flowers, the neck with geometric and floral designs, a band of kifu heads in silver and gilt above the foot, on a midnight-blue ground, signed Kinkozan zo...
Category

Antique 1860s Vases

Materials

Earthenware

Japanese Meiji Period, Blue and White Vase with Phoenix Decoration
Located in New York, NY
A Palace Size Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912) Blue and White Vase with Phoenix Decoration. This vase is absolutely beautiful with an incredible array of hand-painted blue decoratio...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Recently Viewed

View All