A teal colored cloisonne enamel vase with peony and vine decoration within fine silver wire and with subtle blue on yellow hues accenting the petals and leaves. Two character signature on the silver footrim and in the box (and with printed material) accompanied when acquired. Excellent condition. Height, 8 1/2 inches
A fine, modern footed dish with red, green and yellow overglaze and with cobalt blue and manganese underglaze decoration. The hexagonal, everted rim with red border defining a cloud band around conforming hexagonal cavetto with chidori (sparrows) alternating with polychrome squares - borders of decoration all picked out with manganese (giving an iron effect but fading nicely into the blue decoration rather than spoiling it with fade to brown. The splayed foot with a cloud pattern in modern interpretation of the Nabeshima tradition. As we describe this unusual object, it should become more apparent that it is rather substantial (though small, sturdy potting) and not commercial production. The dish - top and bottom - as well as the foot retains impressed decoration and texture in the porcelain over which the decoration was added with deference... the blue glaze, for example, lightly filling the recesses of, perhaps, a hemp impression over a more broadly ridged surface and leaving the highpoints almost white. The same molded and impressed texture can be felt top and bottom of the dish and the cloud pattern on the foot can also be felt when running one's finger along the decoration. The unglazed foot rim reveals a fine, white kaolin with smooth feel to the touch. Unfortunately, though the molded and impressed decoration rather nicely retained texture, a square impressed mark inside the foot did not and offers no legible mark. We are comfortable proposing an attribution to Hajime Kato (1900 - 1968) but can not make any definitive claim and estimate accordingly. Perfect condition. Diameter, point to point, 6 3/4 inches (17.145 cm). Height, 2 1/4 inches (5.715 cm)
A finely made, large mid 20th century Kakiemon style shallow bowl with lobed rim. Persimmon red, light blue, light green and bright yellow enamel decoration with black and red outline of two Hōō (mythical birds of heaven) in the bowl and of Kiri kamon on the verso. The Kiri (or Paulownia) kamon was used by the Toyotomi, branches of the Imperial family, branches of the Matsudaira (related to the Tokugawa) and other prominent families. Very good condition with only minor kiln imperfections attesting to hand production. We are indicating an estimate of mid-20th century origin though it must be either pre-war or post-war (such porcelain production and decorative arts industry having been interrupted). This work already demonstrates some success in reviving Kakiemon traditions (note the well formed foot and relatively pure porcelain visible from the foot). But we know that the traditional pure kaolin body was not successfully repeated (without failure in the kiln) by the Sakaida masters until the later 50s. Diameter, 9 7/8 inches. Height from the foot about 1 and 7/8 inches.
The large vase with silver wire cloisonne on ceramic with "tree bark" textured surface. Decoration of butterflies and peonies, with the blooms depicted in enamel tones of sienna, umber and dark mica, and the stems and leaves in dark green - almost black. The body of the vase covered with a dark, warm brown lacquer on intentionally course texture like tree bark - which it emulates. The Kyoto, crackle glazed greyish porcelain body visible from the foot. Taisho era (1912 - 1926). Good condition. Height: 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cm)
A Hirado blue and white porcelain censer with pierced lattice work cover and sides. Lion masks in relief on opposing sides. Decoration of aromatic flowers and wisps of burning incense. Three feet elevate the censer above surfaces. Early Showa period. Good condition. Lion mask to Lion mask nearly 4 inches in length. Height, covered, just over 3 inches.
A very finely made Satsuma alms bowl form kōro (incense burner). Clear glaze pooling to a light, warm green tea tone over the off-white earthenware body. The reticulated surface of the vessel enclosing a smaller, solid surface to hold burning incense (a technical feat demonstrating the imagination and skill of the potter). Relief key fret band around the rim and comb pattern around the base. Similar relief decoration on three shaped feet. The cover a single reticulated surface allowing essence from the incense to pass. An unglazed ring on the bottom, centered within the three feet, surrounding a smooth surface where at least two incised kanji characters are almost legible under the glaze near one of the feet. With fitted wood box, the cover inscribed ‘Satsuma [?] kiln, basket weave incense burner’ and signed ‘Gyokumeizan’ (a celebrated line of ceramists), each with seal stamps. “Satsuma” is the old name of the province and the namesake of its ceramic tradition. We are not sure if “Satsuma” on the box is reference to a municipality or a market enterprise (as the trailing kanji character could be the same for ‘city/town’ or for ‘market’). We believe this tour de force to be about Taishō era. Condition is good. The reticulated work of the top has one tiny surface loss which does not disrupt the pattern and is barely discernible. The side of the vessel has one spot of thicker glaze softening the definition of the reticulation with opacity at that point. Diameter, about 5 inches. Height (covered), about 4 inches.
Ex collection, Robert Berg (Ichiban Antiques)
Ex collection, David Callens (Meiji Bijutsu)
A Japanese woven bamboo reed ikebana basket. Of small size and fine work. Having handled a good number of ikebana baskets over time, this one strikes us as quite sophisticated. Of baluster form, meticulously consistent woven pattern, defined foot and rim, sparse and well balanced decorative intertwined bamboo shoots across the face, and confidently woven handles. Excellent condition. Height, 8 inches.
A fine, small ginbari cloisonne vase with pale blue, silver background and peonies decoration; one panel with pale purple background and bird, bamboo and flowers decoration; and another panel with blue background and flowers decoration. Impressed artist's mark on the metal base. Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Good condition with tiny, oxidized pinholes in the enamel surface from the firing (not detracting from condition or presentation). Height, 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm)
For the tea and cloisonne collector: A signed totai cloisonne on Kyoto ceramic cha-ire (tea jar). Decoration in red, black rose, pink, green, blue and yellow of flowers, butterfly and other motifs on blue background. The jar with both lid and cover. Late Meiji era (1868 - 1912). Good condition. Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.2 cm)
A Hirado blue and white porcelain bowl. Dragon decoration on the interior center. Flowerhead in mokkogata reserves decoration along the interior below the rim with pale iron oxide wash. Intricate dragon and phoenix decoration around the exterior. The unglazed bottom and foot with the smooth biscuit characteristic of the kiln. Taisho period. Good condition. Diameter, 5 1/2 inches. Height, 2 1:8 inches.
A large Japanese footed dish. Ao-Kutani palette polychrome enamel Chinese style decoration of a fisherman in landscape and the crimped cavetto with karakusa pattern with three pomegranate and stem reserves. A chocolate brown glazed rim. The back with two prunus sprays and the base with blue underglaze double ring and Fuku mark. Subtle, broad chatter marks can barely be seen within the foot under the glaze. “Ao” refers to blue and complimentary colors yellow, green, aubergine and iron red enamels used on a matte white glazed biscuit porcelain. Ao-Kutani and Ko-Kutani are often confused. “Ko” refers to old Kutani (at least 17th century). Most, not all, Ko-Kutani pieces are in the Ao palette. An entrepreneur going by “Yoshidaya” revived the Ko-Kutani tradition in the 19th century and all such works are in the Ao (blue) palette. A 19th century example similar to this dish (same motif) can be seen in The Met, accession #91.1.144 (Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891), in their Gallery 199 as of this writing. This dish is probably a bit later and is in excellent condition. About 9 3/4 inches diameter. Stands just over 2 inches from the foot.
A small Japanese porcelain footed dish. Chrysanthemum sprays in the cavetto, issuing from the rim. Butterflies further adorn the bowl. Probably late 19th century Koransha production. Some Nabeshima characteristics are used including the deep form of the dish, the tall foot with comb pattern, precious objects decoration around the outside, partial blue underglaze decoration in the bowl finished with polychrome enamel, and cash motif along the flattened rim. Departure is made from Nabeshima style, however, with the prolific use of various colors and abundant details. Excellent condition. Dimensions will be added later.
An Ao-Kutani palette porcelain deep dish in the Yoshidaya manner. Hydrangeas decoration in polychrome enamels including white, light blue-green, and dark green, blue, blue-green and aubergine in black line, all on yellow ground, a chocolate brown enamel on the otherwise unglazed biscuit rim. The number and subtlety of hues but consistent for palette is pleasing. The back with enamels including dark green on black line decoration of clouds. Kutani mark in black under yellow glaze inside the foot ring which appears to have been glazed but with the enamel rubbed along high points to the porcelain body. A couple of kiln kisses to the cloud decoration area on the back. The so called Yoshidaya type of 19th century Ao-Kutani wares is named for a merchant who revived production of a particular palette of Ko-Kutani production (of the 17th and early 18th century) adjacent to the original kilns. The current example certainly appears to be 19th century and could possibly be from the Yoshidaya kiln. Later Ao-Kutani palette production is often ambitiously ascribed to the Yoshidaya kiln which, in fact, operated only briefly from the 1820s to the early 1830s. One 3/16 inch flake (mostly to the enamel) under the rim. Otherwise good condition considering expected scratching and rubbing of the enamel. Presents well. Diameter, 11 7/8 inches (30.16 cm)
A well forged, handsome mokume tsuba in mokko-gata form with katakiri-bori landscape decoration on both the omote and ura. The mokume grain is large and well controlled reminding one of ayasugi hada. In fact, this tsuba is indeed a tosho (swordsmith's) tsuba, being made by [Kai Ju] Kiyonaga and dated the third year of Bunkyo (1863) believed to be the same as KIY 298 referenced in Hawley's, Japanese Swordsmiths. Our angled, side view photographs more accurately portray patina and color as well as the mokume grain. Good condition. 3 5/8 inches (8.4 cm) X 3 3/8 inches (8.1 cm) and 7/32 inches thick (.55 cm) at the raised mimi and about 1/8 inch (.32 cm) thick at the seppa-dai. The raised mimi and no taper across the plate are atypical of traditional tosho tsuba. But the present example being 19th century, and toward the end of the Edo period, allows latitude for creativity. Ex Arnold Frenzel collection. If both sensitivity and strength are conveyed in the smith's blades as they are in this tsuba, I would be tempted to acquire one of his swords.
A Kakiemon style porcelain six lobed dish. Cobalt blue underglaze and red, green, yellow, blue and black outline overglaze enamel decoration of 'three friends of winter' (pine, bamboo and prunus). Assymetry of decoration, as well as palette, typical of Kakiemon type porcelains. But the quality of decoration (though good inside the dish), potting and mark speaks to a more general 'Arita' attribution. Some kiln grit adheres inside the foot rim. 19th century. Condition is good, with a few small glaze flakes outside the rim on one lobe, and with some wobble to the potting, and minor kiln faults and light scratches. Diameter from 5 7/8 inches (15.1 cm) to 6 1/4 inches (15.7 cm) [recall the mention of "wobble"]. Height from 1 5/16 (3.3 cm) inches to 1 1/2 inches (3.7 cm).
A well made 19th century Japanese porcelain haisen (sake up rinser on stem foot). Rare Shunga decoration depicting a bondage scene within the bowl. The manner of the painted decoration in comic fashion similar to that found on some shunga makimono. Shunga paintings and prints are rare enough but encountered. Edo period porcelains with shunga decoration are exceedingly rare. Good condition. Height, 4 1/2 inches. Diameter, 6 3/4 inches.
A scarce and nicely formed bronze netsuke. The sculptural group depicts festival musicians playing a Taiko drum and Shinobue flute - the drum player with mask pulled back. Nicely detailed, down to the fingers and expressions of the musicians. The himotoshi is formed by the extended arm of one figure supporting the figure atop the Taiko. Edo period, 19th century. Good condition with rich, natural patina. Height, 1 5/8 inches
A Japanese totai cloisonne (on ceramic body) bottle vase. Blue, white, rose, green, red and yellow enamel decoration of flowers. A silver rim encasement original to the vase. Good condition. Height: 5 inches