Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Stoneware (5)

Late 19th century Japanese Bizen stoneware okimono modeled as meditating Daruma - the founder of Zen Buddhism - enveloped in his monk’s robe with a hood, his hands folded on his chest. Excellent modeling with wonderful facial expression of severe concentration, fine detailing. Typical Bizen color to the surface, eyes are highlighted with white enamel, beautiful patina, in great condition. Marked with a potter’s stamp on the bottom, appears to read EISHO. Height 4 1/8 inches.

Late Meiji Japanese good size ceramic suiteki (water dropper for diluting ink used in painting and calligraphy) that can also serve as a brushrest, modeled as a large and a small pine cones growing together. Clever design, holes on top of cones for filling and dispensing water, very nice depiction of cone texture, brown glaze with gold enamel over it, in excellent condition. Marked with potter’s stamp on the bottom, appears to read SHUNZAN, but I am not entirely sure...

1920s Japanese ceramic tokkuri - sake bottle - with body pinched on 3 sides, one indent containing a low relief figure of standing Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck and incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future). The piece was made at Bizen kilns, characteristic brown clay body, beautiful patina. Clever design, very pleasant to hold, in excellent condition. Height 7 1/8 inches.

Late Meiji / early Taisho (1910s) Japanese Bizen stoneware okimono modeled as Gama Sennin - an ascetic - with his usual companion - a toad. Excellent modeling with wonderful facial expression, fine detailing. Typical Bizen body and superbly beautiful glaze ranging in color from olive to brown. Signed by the potter on the bottom on the bottom...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1910s-1920s) Japanese Kutani ceramic lozenge shaped dish for holding sweets during tea ceremony. Central area is painted with a butterfly on flight over chrysanthemums growing over rocks by a bamboo fence. Nicely potted stoneware body with rounded corners. Wonderful free painting in typical Ko-Kutani (ancient Kutani) style and color palette of blue, green, aubergine, black, tomato red and gold enamels...