Early 20th Century Ceramics

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...

This beautiful and most eye catching early 20th century Siam pottery lidded jar has a jewel like quality. It has been richly decorated with a very fine ha...

Large colorful vintage Chinese porcelain fishbowl/planter from the Qing period. Features classic oriental floral motif. Overall, the piece is in won...

This glazed Chinese ceramic jar from the turn of the 19th Century was once used for pickling foods. It features a jade green finish and outer surface that features a ribbed texture. ...

A rare and important pair of early 20th century Chinese Export polychrome ceramic foo dogs. Both in traditional dress and modelled with open mouths and seated, one with a paw resting...

Faboulas Chinese porcelain Plaque with polychrome enamels in the family verte style, depicting a landscape view of Jingdezhen city In Jiangxi,...

Important Enameled Stoneware Baluster Vase, Bien Hoa, Indochina / Vietnam, Early 20th Century Features: Origin: Bien Hoa, Indochina (Vietnam), early 20th cen...

An antique terracotta water jar from Java, Indonesia. It has faded beautifully over the decades with a wonderful mix of textures and shades. The age related patina present on all sid...

A set of 3 green glazed ceramic candlesticks. All three similar but in a different size (28 cm high, 11 and 19 or in inches 11, 4.3 and 7.5). The glaze wonderfully aged and of a eleg...

A fine pair of Chinese porcelain "peaches" bottle vases (tianquiping) from the late Qing Dynasty or early Republic period. Well potted and of elegant form, the straight cylindrica...

Lovely quality antique Japanese imari plate, having a lovely quality antique Japanese imari plate decorated with a basket of flowers to the centre surrounded by panels of flowers han...

Beautifully commemorated on this pair of baluster jars, censers have been used for thousands of years as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried aromatic plant...

From a small collection of five Persian hand painted pottery vases is this stylish pair of earthenware rectangular shaped vases hand painted with birds and fish amidst flowering stem...

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...

Beautifully commemorated on this squared ginger jar, tripod censers and bronze ritual vessels have been used for thousands of years in Chinese cultur...

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...

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Shallow Bowl, with floral and vine motif. 1.5" H x 7.75" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection.

Antique Chinese Canton porcelain vase Chinese, early 20th century Measures: Height 24cm, diameter 10cm This Canton porcelain vase has a flut...

4.3in(D) x 4.3in(W) x 3.75in(H) are the overall dimensions of the cover bowl with saucer; cover bowl only: 4in(D) x 4in(W) x 3.5in(H); saucer only: 4.3in(D) x 4.3in(W) x 1.25in(H); r...

A small and well cast Chinese archaistic bronze tripod incense burner, censer, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The small censer features a squat and bulbous body, very short n...

This set of Shiwan ware oil lamps from the early 20th century features the distinctive green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiw...

Pair of Chinese amphoras -miniatures- ceramic with mount -ring- in European silver Origin China, circa 1900 perfect condition warrior scenes.

Antique Chinese canton porcelain square tea jar lamp, Circa 1900-1920.

Drawing on the enduring phoenix tail form that dates to China’s Bronze Age, this porcelain vase from the 1920s exhibits the sinuous lines and gilded refinement that helped to define ...

Vintage Chinese Famille Noire porcelain ginger jar with lid, c. 1920-30s. Impressive ovoid shape jar hand painted with vibrant colors on matte black glaze. Each side features a pict...

Large pair of Chinese Export style seated dogs. A true pair one facing the right, the other to the left. Exquisitely modeled and painted, with blue and gold gilt...

A Chinese flambe glazed bottle vase with Jingdezhen Zhi seal mark, 20th century, in Qing style, with a purple-streaked upper section, seal ma...

This square ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to prote...

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was 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 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. 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...

A porcelain vase with dragon motif 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 elongated baluster form, the surface of the vase was decorated in an unusual pink mist on a white and aubergine background (called Morotai, the Hazy style), on which a flying dragon is showcased on the center. The dragon was outlined in iron red and filled with the aubergine color and was artistically emphasized on its bulging eyes, claws, scales and a long tail. It was the sole focus of the design circumventing the entire body of the vase. The imagery calls in mind the dragon decoration found in Korean...

Censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as an element of prayer, ritual, and funerary rites. Placed within a shrine and filled with burning incense, the censer issues fragrant smoke that the duration of the ritual and acts as an offering to one's ancestors or religious deities. This round ceramic incense burner...

Antique Chinese Rose Medallion Porcelain Brush Pot C1930 9" x 3 1/8" x 3 1/8". This antique Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain brush pot dates to circa 1930. It features intricate h...

A stunning antique early 20th Century Chinese Export famille rose porcelain charger plate. Maker's mark on reverse. This lovely larger charger has gorgeous colors in the traditional ...

A pair of large glazed ceramic planters with an Asian scene. The vintage terracotta planters are ochre and brown in color and have notched...

As evidenced by the interior glaze, this wide-mouth jar was once used in a provincial Qing-dynasty kitchen for storing food and condiments. The large vessel has a gently tapered form...

This is a good Chinese porcelain foo dog, sometimes called a temple lion all hand painted in polychrome coloured enamels, that we date to the early 20th Century period, circa 1920. ...

A Beautiful Chinese Celadon Crackle Ge Ware Bowl. The bowl showcases the distinctive crackled glaze characteristic of Ge ware. The bowl features a pale greyish-ivory glaze with a ne...

O/1393 - This bowl is more antique tha I wrote. This is one piece from a large collection of ancient pottery, gathered 35 years ago and never exhibited to the public. I woud like to sell...

A petite and beautiful hand-decorated ceramic baluster vase, painted all around with traditional Japanese motifs, including native flora, birds and bamboo stems on a creamy glazed background. The colour palette is bold and bright, with highlights of green, red and blue, together with plentiful gilt relief...

A Chinese blue and white and famille rose enameled porcelain jardinière in the form of a book, Republic Period, circa 1930s. The jardinière meant to serve as a bulb bowl...

Resplendent with lush florals and brilliant color, this pair of porcelain vases combines stencil work with hand-painted foliage in a decorative style popular during the first two decades of the 20th century. The stenciled petals and blooms of the peonies, symbols of love and affection, create a graphic pattern of soft, modulated color, while the painted stems and small flowers punctuate the design with sharp detail. Innovative in decoration, the vases are firmly rooted in China’s time-honored ceramic tradition with their Classic fantail contours and butterfly handles.

From a small collection of five Persian hand painted pottery vases is this stylish earthenware bottle shaped vase hand painted with a hen and cockerel amidst flowering stems and dati...

"Chinese Porcelain Plaque From The Republican Period – "hundred Children" Motif 1920–1940" Chinese Republican Period Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque – "Hundred Boys" Motif (c. 1920–194...

Late Taisho/Early Showa Period. Artist signature and seal read: Seiun. Comes with original wooden box.

crackle decorated

A fine set of 6 antique Chinese Export porcelain plates. In a Famille Rose pattern. Decorated through with birds, butterflies, and flowers. Gilt to the rim and with a gilt 'EES' ...

Meiji Period signed Fukagawa blue & white fish 'Flounder' plate Japan Circa 1900s We are pleased to offer a rare two -headed (flounder) blue and white signed Fukagawa fish plate me...

Simple modern taste for this vintage crakle Chinese vase, also suitable for a table lamp. (from my Chinese Collection). nr. O/3202.    (special price for closing activities).

Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...

During the 18th century, Europeans provided an eager market for Chinese export porcelain, especially the colorful and fanciful ware known as “famille rose.” Named for a palette of op...

Antique Japanese porcelain plate, hand-decorated gold, ivory & black with florals, Circa 1900.

Chinese vase Famille Rose Pink, green, and ochre colors. It has a pair of handles with gold and orange lion masks. Circa 1900 Origin: China Hand-painted porcelain Wear consistent wi...

Pair of antique Japanese porcelain vases Japanese, early 20th Century Height 86.5cm, diameter 36cm The beautiful Imari porcelain vases...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage Chinese Export Satsuma Moriage Geishas Koi Fish Bowl A very good looking well made and decorat...

1920s Japanese Hand Painted and Gilded Demitasse Coffee Service This exceptional 1920s Japanese coffee service features 6 demitasse cups with accompanying, coffee pot, sugar bowl an...

A Japanese Taisho period brown Tamba Tachikui ware sake jar jug from the early 20th century. Boasting a lovely brown color accented with black drip glaze, thi...

tri-legged brush washer; wooden stand shown in pictures is not included with this item

Beautiful pair of Pho dogs in turquoise glazed ceramic, on plinth bases. Oriental manufacture from the first half of the 20th century.

Large, beautiful country-ware vase. Possibly Oribe vase with beautiful blue-green drip over-glaze and other nice glazing techniques. Small "ears" on the side. Taisho period handmade ...

Antique Japanese Porcelain Bowl With Cherry Blossom Pattern Signed C1920. Measures - 5"h x 12"diam. This exquisite antique Japan...