A set of five Ao-Kutani palette rhombus form mukozuke. Hydrangea and butterfly decoration in blue, teal, chartreuse, aubergine and yellow enamels. The verso with chidori and waves in green outside the foot and yellow with green Fuku mark inside the foot. Uncommon to encounter an original set of five still together. Good condition with varying states of kiln residue. Probably mid 19th century (post Yoshidaya). Each length just over 7 inches. Each width just over 6 inches. Each height from foot just over 1 inch.

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 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.

An unusual and fun Kakiemon dish. Decoration in underglaze blue, persimmon red, teal and yellow-green enamel. The rim meticulously lined with chocolate brown enamel resist before adding the glaze. A central ‘Ju’ character similarly encircled with a band of persimmon red enamel resist on the biscuit before glazing. The porcelain surface exhibits an early feel (I think of it as a fine ‘pear skin’ texture) that later production doesn’t achieve. The ‘Ju’, or ‘Toshi’, kanji character is a celebratory wish here for longevity. This would not be unusual in context of a superior’s or esteemed’s birthday. There is some precedent for longevity motif from Chinese doucai porcelains, with stylized ‘Shou’ character (the same as for ‘Ju’), of Qing dynasty China (from which much decorative arts influence has conveyed to Japan over the centuries). The surrounding chrysanthemums number twelve, each with 12 main and 12 overlapped petals (24 petals each). The main imperial line would use 32 (16 petals and 16 overlapped petals). The use in this case could relate to a lesser line of the family, a feudal lord or it may be simply an exuberant expression. A group of five kiln spurs appear within the foot revealing the well refined kaolin retaining light, fine grit from the kiln. Edo period, first half 18th century. A small round chip just inside the rim, otherwise good condition (an excellent candidate for 'kintsugi'). Diameter, about 9 1/2 inches

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.

The small, scalloped bowl with persimmon, light teal and yellow floral decoration with red and black outline. A molded decoration of dragon with jewel in the center. A nicely executed chocolate brown rim consistent with tradition. The verso plain and exhibiting impurities and open bubbles in the white glaze. Raised on a ring foot exposing a relatively refined clay. This could be work from another Arita kiln, but perhaps as likely relaxed Kakiemon production after collapse of the supporting export market. We estimate later 18th century. Good condition. Diameter, 5 1/2 inches. Stands about 1 and 1/2 inch from the foot.

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.

An attractive, simple Shino low-fired pottery dish with oatmeal colored glaze, flat, Oribe manner scraped foot, also with a glaze swipe and impressed two character mark within cartouche. The rim and a boat decoration accented with brushed iron oxide. Good condition. Edo period. Diameter, about 8 1/2 inches

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 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 good Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns octagonal blue and white porcelain bowl. Shonsui ‘three friends if winter, decoration in roundels among shape patterns. A single Minogame decorates the interior center. A Fuku mark appear center of the bottom, inside the unglazed ring foot. 19th century. Good condition. 5 inches at widest points. Little more than 3 inches at highest points.

A Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns dish in the Kakiemon style. Probably after design examples from the latter kiln. The cavetto with delicate shironuki decoration of sakura blossoms on waves of water. The center undecorated save a single chrysanthemum blossom. Brown rim induced by iron oxide. The exterior with karakusa around the unglazed ring foot centering a spurious mark suggesting the Chinese Ming dynasty. Early 19th century. Good condition. Diameter about 7 3/4 and a little more in places.

A fine and unusual Hizen-yaki, Kakiemon type, small foliate dish. Chocolate brown rim in iron oxide. Unusual blue and white decoration of a samurai with a young monk across the saddle on horseback - bow drawn to ward off pursuing Buddhist monk. This appears to depict one of many tales of old Japan - perhaps The Take of the Heike as relates to Minamoto Yoshitsune and the warrior monk Benkei. A reading of the kanji may shed light. The back with auspicious symbols, key foot rim, and two character mark in underglaze blue inside the unglazed ring foot. Ca 1800. Good condition. 5 inch diameter.

An interesting Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns foliate rimmed bowl. Center decoration of a Chinese scholar in tropical landscape. The cavetto and exterior decorated in the Kraak manner. A spurious four character Xuande mark on the bottom, inside the unglazed high foot rim. 19th century. Good condition. Diameter, about 6 5/8 inches. Height, about 2 2/8 inches.

A fine pair of Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns blue and white porcelain dishes in the Kakiemon style. The molded, spiral foliate cavettos sporting similarly shaped undulating shonsui panels with ‘three friends of winter’ decoration and other, typically shonsui shape patterns. The Peony motif centers surrounded by a band of auspicious symbols in shironuki. Chocolate colored, iron-oxidized rims. The unglazed foot rims encircle glazed bottoms with chatter marks nearly reaching the blue underglaze Fuku marks. Four kiln spurs on the bottom of one dish, five kiln spurs on the other dish. Edo period and probably Ca 1800. Both in good condition. Diameters about 8 1/8 inches and 8 1/4 inches.

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 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 fine Arita blue and white four lobed bowl. Decoration of Sennin Chokaro with his gourd attribute in landscape, centered by extraordinary shironuki (drawn in white) decoration in the cavetto - each of four panels with a different auspicious figure and attributes. The outside of the shaped rim and sides also with simple shironuki decoration of a water border and a lotus blossom floating at each, dimpled corner. This accomplished work would have issued from aristocratic patronage rather than standard kiln production. Faint celadon tinge in the pooled glaze along the footrim. 18th - early 19th century. One flake inside the rim otherwise good condition. 5 7/8 to 6 inches (14.92 to 15.24 cm) across at the corners. About 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) high.