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Rosanjin Kitaoji Signed Painted Chawan Tea Bowl with Original Sealed Signed Box

$4,995
£3,790.09
€4,333.63
CA$6,976.66
A$7,757.10
CHF 4,050.33
MX$94,422.76
NOK 51,680.42
SEK 48,422.09
DKK 32,342.68
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About the Item

An absolutely gorgeous hand-painted pottery Chawan tea bowl by Japanese master potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) who was arguably one of if not the greatest artists/ceramicists of the 20th century. Rosanjin (whose real name was Kitaoji Fusajiro. In 1922 he changed his name to Kitaoji Rosanjin which translates as “foolish mountain man”) was famed in Japan for many talents - calligrapher, ceramicist, engraver, painter, lacquer artist, and restaurateur. It is noted that Rosanjin had one of the greatest ceramics collections in Japan in the early part of the 20th century but the Great Tokyo earthquake of 1923 destroyed most of his personal collection so he began making pottery himself to replace it. In 1926 he established his own kiln in the Yamasaki neighborhood of Kamakura. In 1946, after the war, he continued to make his ceramics and art while also opening a restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo which catered to upper-echelon Americans. In 1951, he invited sculptor/artist Isamu Noguchi and his wife Yoshiko Otaka the actress to live on his property in Kamakura, where they stayed for several years. In 1954, Rosanjin accepted an invitation from the Rockefeller Foundation to hold a solo exhibition of his works in New York City at the Museum of Modern Art. Afterward, he visited Europe, where he would meet with the esteemed artists Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. In 1955, one of his Oribe ware works was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan by the Japanese government. A few years later in 1959, Rosanjin was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government but was one of the very few nominated people to indignantly decline the honor (he did so twice). The rumor was that he felt insulted that the Japanese government had offered this status to a former studio assistant of his first, and this was how he chose to express his dissatisfaction. The bowl features a unique colorful hand-painted decoration and has Rosanjin's incised signature on the base. The bowl comes with the original signed and sealed wood protective box that also has a written authentication of the work and signature of Kuroda Totoan ( also known as Kuroda Ryoji 1905-1987), Rosanjin's most famous and noted art appraiser. A rare, beautiful, one-of-a-kind work. Would clearly be the crown jewel of any Japanese Asian ceramics/pottery or art collection. Rosanjin's work has become quite rare and scarce to find, especially in such impeccable condition with the original signed/sealed wood box and the written authentication by Kuroda Totoan. A coveted combination indeed. Bowl dimensions: 3.25" high, 5.15 diameter Box dimensions: 4.75" high, 6" wide, 6" deep.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Showa (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940s-1950s
  • Condition:
    In very good to excellent vintage condition with no discernable flaws, cracks, chips, etc... The box may have light, if any wear consistent with age and use to box only (please see photos). Spectacular and special overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254334042402

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