Europe - Ceramics

Bulbous Form From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Koro. The Japanese Satsuma Koro of rounded form neatly potted with a small to...

The vase of slightly bulbous form potted with a tapered body reaching a slightly pinched neck and rolled top rim is beautifully decorated with two large scenes. The first scene features a mountainous region with a river flowing through the centre with beautiful wash colours of green. A Bamboo plant can be seen hanging over the left of the scene with two Geishas walking amongst the flowers with children running around them. Further Geishas can be seen to the far right of the vase in front of a traditional Japanese building. The second scene an upstream version of the first with spectacular pink cherry blossom amongst a central river breaking the land in two with further figures with children. The scenes bordered by a strip gilt border featuring alternating images two depicting a Minogame. The shoulder of the vase is beautifully finished with complex rings of geometric scrolling borders with shades of teal, butterflies and one hundred treasures style decoration above gilt cartouches of the imperial style Kiku (chrysanthemum). The vase is signed to the base Dai Nippon, Kyoto Tojiki, Goshi Kaisha, Okamoto Ryozan 京都陶, 磁器合, 資会社,岡曰本亮山 with the Yasuda Company Mark (Yasuda Kyoto Tojiki Goshikaisha) which translates as the Yoshida Kyoto Ceramic Joint Stock Company and dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Yasuda Company was founded in 1896 by Gensei and Yoshizaburo Yasida two brothers from Kyoto. The companies full name is Yasuda Kyoto Tojiki Goshikaisha which translates to Yoshida Kyoto Ceramic Joint Stock Company. They were a manufacturer and dealership based in Kyoto and active during the second half of the Japanese Meiji-era specialising in decorative works including Cloisonne and Ceramics, today they are best-known for their Satsuma pottery wares. The company gained a good reputation and great respect for their high quality works which were executed by some of the best artists of their time. As well as Okamoto Ryozan, they worked with celebrated artists such as Sozan, Kizan, Hozan and Seikozan. Ryozan was born Nakamura Tatsunosuke and was trained by the legendary 10th generation potter Nishimura Zengoro who himself, used the artist’s name “Ryozan”. After Nishimura’s death in 1851, Nakamura Tatsunosuke adopted the name “Okatomo Ryozan” in order to pay tribute to and honour his master. Ryozan went on to become the Head Artist at the Yasuda Company of Kyoto where he confirmed his reputation as one of the great Satsuma artists of the generation. Minogame 蓑亀 are long-lived turtles with long strands of algae growing from their shells. The algae drapes down from their shells and resembles a farmer’s straw raincoat (mino) from which they get their name. They are considered very auspicious creatures throughout East Asia. The long algae on their backs is reminiscent of the long beards of sages and wise men. Because of this and their long life span, they are a symbol of long life and prosperity and appear frequently in paintings, sculpture in Japanese culture. The minogame is a symbol of longevity and happiness and has an important role in the well-known legend of Urashima Taro...

Kutani porcelain okimono of a Japanese Green Pheasant, Japan, Meiji Period. The pheasant modelled, perched upon a large gnarled branch. Decorated in typically vibrant enamels, and he...

From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Meiji period Satsuma Bowl by Kinkozan. The earthenware bowl with pinched rim extensively decorated on both the exterior and interior. The bowl with a cobalt blue base glaze decorated to the borders with gilt shippo-tsunagi (linked-cash) with scattered medallion roundells. Around the exterior two elongated scenes are featured, one with boys playing games in a courtyard with the other featuring seated scholars in full dress both with raised enamel decoration. The interior features a central scene with Samurai warriors in training fully armoured with swords in a courtyard with landscapes scenes to the background. The central scene bordered by further stylised shippo-tsunagi type decoration with a greek key rim border. The bowl signed to the base Kinkozan dating to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Shippo-Tsunagi (linked-cash) or seven treasures, is a traditional Japanese geometric pattern that combines four ellipses in a circle. These ellipses repeat outward to then create more circles, symbolising eternal peace and happiness. Kinkozan the Kinkozan family have been associated with pottery dating back to 1645. They went on to become the largest producer of Satsuma ware by one individual company, from the end of the 19th century until 1927 after which the factory closed. By the 1850s Kobayashi Sobei (1824-84), Kinkozan Sobei...

A small Satsuma earthenware bowl, painted in overglaze enamels and gilt with three fans. Japanese, circa 1900. Measures: Height 2 inches Diamete...

A small Satsuma earthenware tea bowl, the speckled greyish body decorated with four panels of alternating bijinand flowers, painted in overglaze en...

Large and very detailed piece. Condition Overall condition perfect in wooden box. Size: 315 mm Period Meji Period: circa 1900

A very decorative Chinoiserie enamel plate, profusely decorated with typical exterior scenes, dragons, pagodas and oriental figures. House in a wo...