Japonisme Vases and Vessels

Huge Imari vase with email painted with birds and kiku flowers.

20th c., a pair of Japanese Kutani style porcelain lidded jars, stamped on Porcelaine de Paris underside of foot. The mark indicates the piece was produced in the 1970's. The jars are decorated in deep orange, tangerine and gold motifs on a white background. On one side, both jars have matching decoration depicting a scroll showing a pastoral scene. On the other side, each jar has a seperate floral depiction; one including bamboo. Both are highly decorative. Founded 1773 by Jean-Baptiste Locre, Porcelaine de Paris, was one of the first manufactures to use the Chinese secret of porcelain. It immediately aimed for the luxury trade, selling to the Royal Courts of Europe. After surviving the French Revolution, Porcelaine de Paris steadily produced tableware as well as purely decorative pieces, receiving orders from all over Europe. Productivity was astonishing, creating one new model every day over 30 years! Around 1830, Jean-Marx Clauss, a German-born potter bought a building at Rue de la Pierre-Levee, where he took over Locre's activity. M. Achille Bloch...

A very fine miniature ceramic vase in satsuma ware by Taizan Yohei IX (1864-1922) circa 1880-1890s of late Meiji period. The vase with a broad flat should...

A Highly Important Pair of French Japonisme Ormolu, Patinated Bronze & Cloisonné Vases, by Christofle & Cie. Christofle & Cie is a renowned French silver and metalwork manufacturer f...

A Very Large 19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Vase with Scalloped Top. The body of the vase is complete with two main cartouches and two smaller cartouches which flank the vase...

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 around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artist 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. With an impressively large size, this vase was likely made and reserved as a presentation piece for one of the many expositions the studio participated in the early 20th century. It was decorated with underglaze cobalt blue using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking dimensional literary landscape known as "Mountain and Water". 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 Taikan...

Jardinière Médicis vase shape in copper with gold lacquered decoration on a burgundy background of a Japanese landscape with a volcano and an eagle ...

Stunning French ceramic decorative object inspired by Japanese pottery designs with wonderful prominent blue and green hues. The shape and colors makes this piece exceptionally inter...

A fine Pair of 19th century Japanese Imari Porcelain and French Gilt-Bronze Mounted Thirteen-Light Celadon Torchere Candelabra. The bottle-shaped Japonisme vases with a Royal red background, decorated with parcel-gilt and black soaring eagles in the hunt within a forestall scene. Each Vase fitted and surmounted with a French 19th century Louis XV Style 13-Light scrolled candelabrum and all raised on a circular pierced gilt-bronze plinth. circa: 1880. Imari Porcelain (????) is the name for Japanese porcelain wares made in the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyushu. They were exported to Europe extensively from the port of Imari, Saga, between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. The Japanese as well as Europeans called them Imari. In Japanese, these porcelains are also known as Arita-yaki (???). Imari or Arita porcelain has been continously produced up through the present day. Characteristics Though there are many types of Imari, Westerners' conception of Imari in the popular sense is associated only with a type of Imari produced and exported in large quantity in mid-17th century. This type is called Kinrande. Kinrande Imari is colored porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze. The color combination was not seen in China at that time. Traditional Ming dynasty color porcelain used dominantly red and green, probably due to scarcity of gold in China, whereas gold was abundant in Japan in those days. The subject matter of Imari is diverse, ranging from foliage and flowers to people, scenery and abstractions. Some Imari design structures such as kraak style were adopted from China, but most designs were uniquely Japanese owing to the rich Japanese tradition of paintings and costume design. The porcelain has a gritty texture on the bases, where it is not covered by glaze. There is also blue and white Imari. Kakiemon style Imari is another type of Imari, but it tends to be categorized separately in Europe. History "Imari" was simply the trans-shipment port for Arita wares. It was the kilns at Arita which formed the heart of the Japanese porcelain industry. Arita's kilns were set up in the 17th century, when kaolin was discovered in 1616 by the immigrant Korean potter, Yi Sam-pyeong (1579–1655). (He may also be known by the name, "Kanage Sambei".) Yi Sam-Pyeong, along with his extended family of 180 persons, left Korea on the offer of a privileged position in Japan. This decision was made after the occurrence of certain Japanese invasions of Korea. After Yi Sam-Pyeong's discovery, his kilns began to produce revised Korean-style blue and white porcelains, known as "Shoki-Imari". In the mid-17th century there were also a lot of Chinese refugees in Northern Kyushu due to the turmoil on Chinese continent, and it is said one of them brought coloring technique to Arita. Thus Shoki-Imari developed into Ko-KutaniImari. Ko-Kutani was produced around 1650 for both export and domestic market. Blue and white porcelain continued to be produced and they are called Ai-Kutani. Ko-Kutani Imari for the export market usually adopted Chinese design structure such as kraak style, whereas Ai-Kutani for the domestic market were highly unique in design and are accordingly valued very much among collectors. Ko-Kutani style evolved into Kakiemon style Imari, which was produced for about 50 years around 1700. Imari achieved its technical and aesthetic peak in Kakiemon style, and it dominated European market. Blue and white Kakiemon is called Ai-Kakiemon. Kakiemon style transformed into Kinrande in the 18th century. Kinrande used blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze, and later some other colors. Imari began to be exported to Europe because the Chinese kilns at Ching-te-Chen were damaged in the political chaos and the new Qing dynasty government stopped trade in 1656–1684. Exports to Europe were made through the Dutch East India Company, but the designation "Imari Porcelain" in Europe connotes Arita wares of mostly Kinrande Imari. Export of Imari to Europe stopped in mid-18th century when China began export to Europe again, since Imari was not able to compete against China due to high labor cost. By that time, however, both Imari and Kakiemon style were already so popular among Europeans, Chinese export porcelain copied both Imari and Kakiemon style, which is called Chinese Imari. At the same time, European kilns, such as Meisen also tried to copy Imari and Kakiemon. Export of Imari surged again in late 19th century (Meiji era) when Japonism flourished in Europe. Thus in western world today, two kinds of Imari can...

Large Royal Crown Derby style 'Imari' pattern centerpiece, profusely hand-painted decorated with rich, vibrant colors and gilt, unusual seaweed and floral ...

#350 Japanese Edo Period Bronze Jardinière w/ Birds & Cherry Blossom Tree, 19th C. DIMENSIONS: Height: 9 inches Diameter: 12 inches DETAILS Edo Period (1603-1868) Meiji Period (...

Beautiful pair of blue-tinted crystal “rouleau” vases decorated with Japanese-style enameled decoration representing a gilded full moon reflecting a tree with flowering branches, sur...

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...

A pair of porcelain vases in classic form, decorated with underglaze blue and copper red painting by Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu was one of the most established and collected ceramist known to the west from Meiji Period. The vases are in a classic Chinese form called "Bang Chu Ping" (grain-mallet vase...

Japonisme stoneware and bronze jardinière attributed to Édouard-Alexandre Dammouse for Haviland & Co, with bronze mounts attributed to the F . Barbedienne foundry. Based on the...

A wonderfully decorative Japanese Kutani vase, Meiji period 1868-1912. Having the classical orange ground with scrolling foliate decoration, inset...

A large and very impressive 19th Century Japanese lidded Imari vase. Measures: 45". Having a wonderful Foo dog finial to the lid, classical bold blue and orange ground. Scrolling fo...

A wonderful Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Bronze overlay vase. Having exquisite and amusing scenes in relief, patinated and overlay of a Dog of Foo, a Frog fishing in a Lotus lea...

A very good quality pair of Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Satsuma porcelain vases / lamps. Each with wonderful gilded classical motif decoration, with inset hand painted panels depicting various scenes of courtiers in attendance and Samurai warriors. Both mounted on ormolu oriental stands.

Exceptional Dominic & Haff Japonisme Sterling Cabinet Vase—Dragonfly & Cobwebs This exquisite Dominic & Haff sterling silver cabinet vase is a rare and finely detailed example of Ja...

Japanese Modernist Beige Studio Ceramic Flower Vase, Circa 1950s DIMENSIONS: Height: 11 inches Diameter: 4 inches ABOUT JAPANESE MODERNIST BEIGE STUDIO CERAMICS Japanese Modernist...

Japanese Meiji Period Koransha Olive Green & Gold Glaze Porcelain Vase, Ca. 1880 DIMENSIONS Height: 4.5 inches Diameter: 5 inches ABOUT Meiji Period (1868–1912) Koransha Porcelain ...

Large planter decorated on the belly with a rotating decoration of polychrome flowers and geometric patterns in cloisonné enamel on a red background. It is inserted in an important p...

A charming and high quality pair of French 19th century Japonisme st. Cloisonné and Ormolu vases. Each stunning vase is raised by a square pierced Ormolu base supporting the sumptuou...

19th century Japanese Satsuma Vase ~ Jardiniere with Bronze Mounts is an amazing work of art with scenes hand-painted around the en...

Elegant pair of square section vases attributed to Baccarat, in enameled crystal with polychrome decoration of birds of paradise, resting on an openwork patinated and gilded bronze b...

A very impressive pair of Japanese Meiji (1868-1912) period Blue and white porcelain vases, each with wonderful classical motif decoration to the neck and base. Blossom trees to the ...

Pair of Large Oriental Lacquered Wooden Vases, Late 19th Century Dimensions: cm H 142 x W 69 x D 69. Base cm 51 x 51 This monumental pair of vases was made in Europe towards the end...

An important and monumental pair of very fine 19th century French Japonisme/Orientalist ormolu vases designed by Edouard Lièvre and Executed by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each body with an oval shape, finely sculpted in a floral design, fringed by orientalist style handles with cartouches, the neck surmounted by a circular pierced scrolling dragon frieze. Each vase resting on a group of four orientalist style jeweled elephant...

A beautiful French polychrome patinated dore bronze and silvered bronze with Algerian onyx mounted centerpiece, attributed to Eugene Cornu. This beautifu...

Signed H.P for Henri Pannier. Lovely hexagonal shaped planter in patinated bronze with gold highlights. Adorned on three sides with a dragon framed by a rhombus frieze on an openwor...

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...

Escalier de Cristal 1808-1829 The beginnings: crystal and gilded bronze Marie Jeanne Rosalie Désarnaud (1775 -1842) opened her shop around 1808 in th...

A Pair of Gilt White Opaline Vases by Baccarat Standing over a foot tall, the pair of vases of circular and tapering form, finely decorated with gilt landscapes populated with bird...

Pair of glazed ceramic and gilt bronze vases, France, late 19th century.

This a Lladro soft glow porcelain flower gourd vase. It is hand painted white in the background with a repousse of long light green branches with light blue leaves and flowers plus r...

This vase was created by Émile Gallé for the Escalier de Cristal at the end of the 19th century. A pioneering figure of Art Nouveau, Émile Gallé was particularly influenced by Far E...

Ceramic and gilt bronze vase by Sarreguemines, France, circa 1900.

Pair of fine quality Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) patinated bronze Miyao style gold and silver overlay two handled vases, each with twin handles, classical motif decoration with...

A wonderful Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Bronze overlay vase. Having exquisite and amusing scenes in relief, patinated and overlay of a Dog of Foo, a Frog fishing in a Lotus lea...

Handcrafted set of three white ceramic decorative objects with a tray. These very nice quality pieces were created following the ancie...

A fine quality large pair of Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Fukagawa porcelain vases. Each with wonderful bold Imari colours, the tapering bands of classical motifs from top to bo...

Sumida Gawa pottery vase, Japan, early 20th century.

Hand painted Japanese porcelain miniature ginger jar with handled top. Old Japan motifs of a peacock with chrysanthemum flower, dogwood trees, clouds and and butterfly. Stamped with signature on bottom, T & T Made in Japan Hand paint.

With an Arabesque rim and decorated with lizards, dragonflies and vines. These unusual vases reflect the European fascination Japan at the turn of the century and delightfully inco...

An antique Japanese stoneware storage jar, known as tsubo from Shigaraki kiln, circa 17th-18th century (early Edo possibly Momoyama period)....

A very impressive large 19th century Masons iron stone pagoda style lidded vase. Having the classic Imari colours if cobalt blue ground and orange hi...

Set of three Nippon porcelain pieces. Hand-painted in Japan.

Perignem, Japanese-inspired ceramic vase, not signed, circa 1950

Purple Japonist Art Pottery by Eugene lion vase A perfect piece of Japonist ceramic art. By French art potter Eugene Lion, in a very interesting a...

Antique Awaji ceramic vase - grey crackle glaze - cold painted decoration with red and gilt enamel bird on a branch with flower and leaves - old faint inventory numbers to the base -...

Antique champlevé cloisonné enamel on copper square jardinière. With bat designs on each side, they fly through the clouds and sky above the...

Antique broken ceramic Japanese sake bup repaired with glass. Broken chips are welded by glass. This work is study for relationship between object and decoration. Subject is Destru...

A gorgeous vintage Chinese Imari porcelain vase with a floral design in the traditional Imari colors. Maker's mark on the base. It's a lovely shape with vibrant colors and displays b...

More information coming soon… Dating to circa 1880, these wonderful French barbotine vases have bronze mounts, inspired by the visual stylings of Japonisme. The hand-painted vases ...

Vintage fine porcelain vase features traditional Sakura decor in yellow, gold, and platinum on red and white background; the rim and the base a...

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...

French Majolica Japonisme vase, attributed to Theodore Deck  France, Late 19th Century  This exquisite late 19th-century French Majolica vase, attributed to the renowned ceramist Th...

Vase by Alain Gaudebert, Puisaye - Era Joulia Debril Deblander - La Borne A superb blood-red vase, scarified on the outside, with a serrated neck and a smooth matt black glaze on th...

Japonesque bronze cache pot by Berndorf, Austria, circa 1890. Nouveau with a Japanese decorative motif. Stamped Bergdorf over an E Decorated with thr...