Near Pair of Antique Japanese Arita Export Ceramic Jars

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 stunning pair of ceramic vases with gilt, paint and high-relief decoration by imperial artist Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916, also known as Miyagawa Kozan) circa 1876-81 (late Meiji period). These vases belong to early period (1876-1881) of Kozan's repertoire, during which time the high relief sculpturing (known as Takauki ware) was used as a distinguished technique on top of the traditional gilt and paint ornaments of satsuma ware. Due to the relatively limited production and the fragile nature of these wares, not a large quantity of the examples remained in the first place, not mentioning a fine matching signed pair in such impressive sizes. Not only a rarity, this pair of vases is also superb in workmanship, thus the fine example of the work from that short and unique period of the artist's career before he switched to the underglaze period. In a conceptually mirrored fashion, the surface is richly decorated with flying cranes among large lotus leaves and flower, like an idyllic aqua scenery of pure poetry on a circular scroll. The high-relief appliques were rendered and composed in realistic fashion but with a dramatic touch. They are literally about to break the surface free, alive and in motion. The dark colors of the glaze were used to set a moody tone. The approach to create this type of ornamentations is more akin to sculpturing an ink painting in three-dimension than ceramic making. It is not hard to imagine the demand of both the artistry and the technique. Both vases were signed as "Makuzu Kozan Kiln" and each further with another name and seal, which are most likely the individual artist involved in the making process. Similar signatures can be seen in the reference book below. For similarly Takauki vases, see Miyagawa Kozan Makuzu...

A collection of two ceramic chaires (Tea caddies) of Ko-seto ware type from Edo period Japan circa 17-18th century. This type of small jar was made of stoneware in old Seto kilns in ...

A pair of small ceramic vases with superb surface decorations made by Japanese studio Seikozan circa 1890-1910s (late Meiji Period). One of the many artist studios that specialized i...

Pair of Vintage Chinese export porcelain blue and white covered jars. Circa 1920. A timeless and classic touch for a fine interior.

decorated with birds amongst various flowers on yellow ground

Pair of late 19th century Japanese hand-painted and gilded porcelain kutani vases. These vases are signed.

Fantastic quality pair of small antique Japanese satsuma vases having a quality pair of antique Japanese satsuma vases with wonderful hand painted decoration of figural and landscape...