Japanese Ceramics

Late 19th century massive scale Arita blue & white charger, Japanese. Pseudo Chinese reign marks. Also called blue & white Imari, as Imari was the export po...

Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted on a stunningly shaped porcelain body in blue, green and red, a piece by highly-acclaimed award-winning mast...

Meiji Period (1868-1912) From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Vases. The Satsuma Vase of hexagonal form with a slight waisted neck and tight rounded rim is extensively decorated with multiple figures to two large scenes. The first scene features a beach with waves to the background and a plethora of figures including multiple geisha holding traditional Japanese wagasa’s. The second scene follows on from the first with a large building in the foreground holding figures on a large platform under a pagoda roof with a pagoda building in the background and further figures in the foreground. The scenes are framed by a full detailed border with gilt shapes, flowers amongst pink shaded backgrounds and butterflies around the neck. The Satsuma Vase is unusually signed Fine Art, Satsuma Ware, Dai Nippon (Great Japan), Hattori Made, Gosuido Works, Taizan Painted. 美術, サツマヤキ(薩摩焼), 大日本, 服部造, 五スイ堂工, 對山画 and dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the turn of the 20th century circa 1905. Satsuma ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. Wagasa are traditional Japanese umbrellas made of washi paper attached to a bamboo frame and treated to ensure it is waterproof. Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era. Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist...

Pair of exquisite Japanese Kutani vases with fine enameled and gilt decorations, signed Kutani-Saku (九谷作), measuring 14 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches. Each in excellent condition.

Exceptional Japanese contemporary exquisitely hand-painted decorative porcelain vase in blue, red and white on a stunningly shaped body, a signed masterpiece by highly acclaimed awar...

Sharing with you this amazing Large Japanese Koransha plate. Top quality.

Extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality decorative vase, a masterpiece intricately hand-painted on a rectangular body of the finest Arita porcelain, which provides the per...

Mesmerizing Japanese contemporary dimpled gilded signed decorative porcelain vase, an exquisite masterpiece hand painted by widely acclaimed master porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-...

Unique Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in platinum, set against a beautifully shaped body in black, a signed piece belonging to the artist's signature fish collection by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist and recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional and extraordinary porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this award-winning artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. The artist's profile is available upon request. Based on the Chinese legend...

An exquisite, beautifully crafted, sumptuously glazed vase by Japanese Mingei Mashiko pottery master Shoji Hamada, which features a fine example of his highly coveted rich Kaki/persi...

Extraordinary contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in the artist's unique miniature technique on a elegantly shaped porcelain body in gray, blue ...

A Japanese Kutsu-gata (clog-shaped) chawan (tea bowl) circa 19th century possibly older. The stoneware bowl potted from buff clay has a slight irregular shape and an unusual depth for a tea bowl. Of Mino ware...

Description Very lovely piece. With an overall landscape scene of mountains, flowers and birds in flight. Condition Both perfect but crackle all over as usual on these pieces. S...

Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in platinum, set against a beautiful round shaped body in black, a signed piece belonging to the artist's signature fish collection by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist and recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional and extraordinary porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this award-winning artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. The artist's profile is available upon request. Based on the Chinese legend...

Elegant large Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in dark blue, red, purple and turquoise on a beautifully shaped ovoid body with an elegant lon...

Mesmerizing Japanese contemporary very large dimpled gilded signed decorative porcelain vase, a stunning piece hand painted by highly acclaimed porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-Arit...

Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative three-piece raised lidded jar/vase, hand painted in auspicious underglaze blue and white , depicting scenes from Japan's countrys...

Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in red and blue on a beautifully shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by widely acclaimed Japanese mast...

BRONZE ARCHER FIGURE Japan, Meiji Bronze period. H. ca. 38cm. The figure is kneeling, dressed in a haramaki and robes decorated with kamon and wheels, wi...

Extraordinary highly collectible museum quality Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand-painted in stunning cream, orange-salmon pink and black, a...

Japanese decorative porcelain vase, dramatically hand painted in platinum, set against a stunningly shaped porcelain body in black, a signed masterpiece belonging to the artist's sig...

Fabulous and highly detailed Japanese Satsuma stand for bowl, Lantarn holder or brushpot (still doing research, its uncommon but not sure what it is yet)...

Plate with palms forming scallop shell in Imari porcelain. Decor of birds and flowers, blue red orange and turquoise. Japan. 19th century.

Exceptional very large contemporary Japanese decorative vase, intricately hand painted in blue, green and pink on fine Arita porcelain body in an attractive rotund shape, a signed ma...

Exquisite Japanese contemporary large gilded, intricately hand painted and dimpled porcelain charger by acclaimed master porcelain artist, dramatically showcasing an eagle in flight,...

This stoneware vase of a jar form was finely decorated with low relief carving and delicate colored glazes depicting bundles of peony flowers. It was made by Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) circa 1890-1900s in the late Meiji Period. The color pallet was both bold and subtle, with dark green and rusty leaves with golden outlines and white and light yellow peony petals covering much of the surface. Impressed with potter's mark on the base. Examples of two pieces by Ito Tozan I were in the collection of MNAAG (Guimet) Paris. Inventory no. MG 13790 an 13792. A vase with similar shape and decoration techniques is featured as Lot 1340 Fine Japanese Art, 13 Sep 2017 Bonhams New York Tozan Ito I established his ceramic business in Kyoto 1867. His studio made both porcelain and stoneware in a style some considered Satsuma while they retained a sophistication of Kyoto ware...

A Japanese porcelain plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white floral décor with a rooster and a hen. Created in Japan during the 19th century, this porcelain pla...

Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, dramatically hand painted in platinum, set against a stunningly shaped porcelain body in black, a signed masterpiece belonging to the...

A Japanese Ao-Kutani stoneware dish with overglaze decoration in the shape of barbed quatrefoil shape from late Edo period, circa early mid-19th century. Around 1804, 100 years after Ko-Kutani (old-Kutani) ware disappeared abruptly after thriving from 1655-early 1700s, saiko-kutani (revived-kutani) was attempted by many kilns and several distinguished styles developed. Among them, Yoshidaya kiln attempted to revive the original style of Ko-Kutani known as Aote, which employed four dark colors: green, yellow, dark blue/black and aubergine to create bold and striking design. The Yoshidaya production was short-lived and lasted roughly from 1823-1831. This dish is likely dated from this period or shortly after. The overglaze design centered around a crouching tiger under a black bamboo grove in a deep green background, surrounded by luxuriant banana leaves in green and aubergine with black outlines. The base of a similar concentric barbed quatrefoil design is further decorated with black foliage outlines and marked with a square Fuku mark. For a Yoshidaya dish with identical shape but different landscape decoration, see lot 79 of sale 6547 Christie's London. Important Japanese and Chinese Art...

Graceful Japanese contemporary very large three-piece decorative porcelain lidded vase, extremely intricately hand painted in underglaze cobalt blue on an auspicious double-gourd bod...

Exceptional Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, dramatically hand painted in vivid red and blue, set against a stunningly shaped porcelain body in platinum, a signed mas...

A striking stoneware vase made in the tradition of Shigaraki ware by celebrated Japanese potter Kohyama Yasuhisa (1936-) in the year of 2005. Born in the town of Shigaraki, Yasuhisa ...

Extraordinary large signed Japanese contemporary museum-quality gilded porcelain decorative vase, extremely intricately hand-painted in a breathtaking Kutani Mokubei style set against striking high purity gold background. The artist has used yellow, green, purple and blue in this stunning vase. These are the traditional colors that have adorned Kutani porcelain for centuries. This vase is the last in a series of Mokubei-inspired pieces carrying the “Kutani Tousui” imprint, produced in the In the early 21st century. Aoki Mokubei...

An unusual Japanese Imari porcelain decagonal (ten sided) dish with underglaze blue and overglaze enamels, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The ten sided dish features a charming Chinese...

Contemporary porcelain decorative vase, hand painted in blue and red on a beautifully shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by widely acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist...

Lovely and rare piece. A superb blue and white porcelain Dish bowl, with a leaf pattern. Made by Fuji Shumei Fujii Mr. Aki Fujii's specialty is the technique of drawing a mount...

Exquisite contemporary Japanese gilded porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in shades of blue and pink on a beautifully shaped body, a striking signed work by highly acclaimed master artist from Arita-Imari region of Japan. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this award-winning artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. Yu-riko or underglaze-red that is used in creating this piece is a technique that uses a copper-based colorant for underglaze painting that develops a red color under a transparent glaze. This technique is traced back to 14th century China...

Condition Report: 29cm inc stand. Good condition. Heavy and top quality Meiji period dancing Figures. Top quality

Extraordinary museum quality signed Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain box in an elegant rectangular shape, stunningly gilded and hand painted in vivid hues of purple and blu...

An antique Japanese brown oil jar with weathered appearance and irregular shape. This antique Japanese oil jar, dating from the early 20th century, captivates with its rustic charm a...

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...

BRONZE Seiya-sei for Genryusai Seiya Man and Monkey figure. Marked on base Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century Condition Condition is Perfect: Size 33.5 cm high Period 19th century ...

Small porcelain vase in Satsuma earthenware. The 4-sided body is decorated in polychrome and gold enamels with geishas in a garden, a mountain landscape, a bird on a flowering branch...

Nicely made and large incense burner or Okimono of a turtle. In earthenware with nice patina. Shimane Prefecture Iwayaki (Nagahama Yaki) Turtle figurine. The head and part of the bac...

A contemporary studio ceramic tea pot with metal handle made by Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki (1950-). The stoneware tea pot showcases a thick dripping Oribe green glaze partially revealing the unglazed part of the body, which is decorated with scrolling pattern of ash glaze. The work is rooted in both Yohen Shino glaze technique and Oribe tradition, but interestingly it also paid homage to Sancai pottery...

A nicely decorated Japanese Meiji Period Imari charger, late 19th century, Japan. The porcelain charger featuring a design of a hoho bird, or phoenix, per...

The scalloped vase (shape of a flower) inlaid with cranes on the waterfront. Beautiful craftmenship. Unmarked. Perfect condition. Size 120mm high ...

Very nice pieces with underglaze blue scene of butterflies and flowers in a landscape scene. Both with a six character mark in underglaze blue Condition Overall Condition Both...

Large cylindrical Satsuma vase, decorated with polychrome enamels and pure gold, depicting a scene of daily life with three geishas and a samurai on a festive day. Signed ‘Seizan zō...

Large and very detailed piece. Marked at base. Condition: Overall condition perfect. Size: 390 mm Period: Meiji Periode (1867-1912) Showa Periode (1926-1989) Taisho Periode (19...

A spectacularly glazed Japanese Kutani model, okimono, of a pheasant, Showa era, early 20th century, Japan. The okimono, or decorative sculpture, in the form of a magnificent phea...

A tall ceramic vase made in the tradition of Shigaraki ware by Japanese potter Takahashi Shunsai (1927-2011), the fourth heir of the famed Rakusai lineage of potters. The vase is heavily potted in the reddish sandy Shigaraki clay. It has a Classic vase form made for Ikebana display. The surface is thickly draped with natural ash glaze that deposited onto the body during the firing process in the kiln. It also features decoration of carved lines. Nuggets of feldspar were incorporated in the clay and exposed onto the surface as crystal like jewels. Substantial and archaic looking, the vase also has a strong modern appeal due to its Mingei styling. It was signed on the base with a pressed seal Shunsai as shown. The vase comes with its original wood storage box (tomobako) with bears the title and signature in Kanji and a seal. It also retains a paperwork noting the artist's biography and practice philosophy in Japanese. Born in Shigaraki, Shunsai was the second son of renowned potter Takahashi Rakusai...

A very fine quality monumental Japanese vase depicting Samurai on one side and distinguished female and her attendants on reverse, particularly unique for its very prominent stylized...

A fantastic Japanese Aote type Kutani incense burner, koro, in the form a phoenix, Showa era, circa 1930's, Japan. The censer, koro, gracefull...

Description Interesting and finely painted Satsuma bowl. With Oromulu. Very cool and of high quality. The scene is painted in relief. Condition Overall Condition Perfect. J...

Description Lovely and detailed piece with a great decoration of a poem and landscape Condition Overall Condition some enamel loss and 1 small chip to rim. Size 193x135x28mm D...

Painted and glazed porcelain okimono depicting Daruma in his iconic posture while holding the hossu, the ceremonial staff used by Buddhist monks.  Period: Meiji late 19th cent. Dime...

A wonderful and well crafted Japanese artisan Bizen ware Chawan tea bowl. Beautifully fired and colored with a touch of natural ash glaze. Japanese Bizen-Yaki pottery which dates ba...

Japanese Meiji satsuma finely decorated and gilded teapot. Some of the finest hand painted work and sculpted shape found on satsuma. Maker's mark on the bottom.

A ceramic lidded celadon vessel made by Japanese potter Uichi Shimizu (1926-2004) circa post 1980s. The vessel was known as Mizusashi in Japanese and used as a freshwater container t...