Signed Japanese Black Glaze Kutani Porcelain Vase by Mitsui Tamekichi III

A fine antique Japanese Meiji period Kutani porcelain vase. By Matsumoto Sahei/Shoundo. In an aka-e style decorated throughout in iron red with extensive gilt accents. There are cartouches to either side both with branches of red flower with a backdrop of clouds on a white ground. With 2 figural dragon finial handles. Marked to the base with '九谷松雲堂製' which translates as 'Made by Shoundo of Kutani' Matsumoto Sahei (1851-1918) was a master potter who enjoyed success & recognition during his era. In 1876, Sahei received the artist name Shoundo from the nanga painter Tokuda Kansho - he would use that title for nearly 20 years until passing it onto his son as his successor in 1893. Sahei also has the distinction of taking Tokuda Yasokichi I as an apprentice when the latter was 17-years-old. The Tokuda family is perhaps one of the most famous families of Japanese ceramics: Yasokichi I is credited with revitalizing the lost art of ko-Kutani and Yasokichi I, II, & III were all recognized as "Living National Treasures" during their lifetimes. Shoundo exhibited internationally numerous times at the tail end of the 19th Century. The Keisei Isogaya Museum of Art (which specializes in Meiji Kutani) has a vase of Sahei's that was exhibited in the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876. He is listed as exhibiting a wide variety of porcelain goods at the 1878, 1889, and 1900 Paris World Exhibitions. He is also listed as exhibiting 'incense burners & porcelain' at the World's Columbian Exhibition held in 1893 in Chicago. The pair of vases that Sahei exhibited in Paris in 1900 bear a strong resemblance to this pair. Simply a wonderfully rare Japanese porcelain...

A fine Japanese porcelain box. Decorated to the exterior with a dark turquoise enamel ground with floral decorations. The figural finial as wel...

Made by Japanese ceramic artist Makoto Yabe (1947-2005), this stoneware vase features a globular body supported by a round pedestal foot. A similarly shaped neck extends to a rimmed mouth opening. Robust in form with thick wall, the vase is noted for its irregular cloved form. The surface is covered in a beige-yellow glaze, on top of which, dark brown strokes and thick white feldspar slip were artistically applied in a splashed and washed pattern. Together with some random shallow incision lines, they form an abstract painting with textured surface where some slip forms small droplets at the end of the stroke. The work was created in traditional Japanese manner and reflects the beauty of Wabi Sabi, a Zen aesthetic for the imperfect perfection. The base was incised with the artist's cipher. "Makoto Yabe's work beautifully exemplifies the transmission of Japanese ceramics to the West. Born in Fukushima, Japan, Yabe began studying ceramics in Kyoto at the age of nine. He completed his training at the age of 24, with a four-year apprenticeship under Jinmatsu Uno and Sango Uno. Yabe then came to Boston, where he was an integral member of the local ceramic community, yet he maintained his Japanese roots. As an instructor of ceramics, Yabe worked in the Boston area at numerous schools and universities, touching the lives of all his students and expanding their knowledge and appreciation of studio ceramics." Biography sited from Pucker Gallery...

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...