$1,200.00
On the back are two ‘loops’ to hang the tile up.
Japan, Seto, Meiji era, 1870s-1900.
H 10.6 x W 39.25 x D 0.25 in.
Excellent condition
The tile might have been part of a wooden bench or bed, mounted as the back or head board.
Very rare.
$200.00
From the center of the cover, the surface has been divided into eight ‘cake slices’. The decoration in underglaze blue (sometsuke) runs continuously the center of the cover, with a small flower in the middle, to the bottom. Each slice has been decorated. Two slices with birds with a flower in their beaks, two with a landscape, four with geometric motifs.
Signature in underglaze blue: Tokusen.
H 2 x W 2.25 x D 2.25 in.
Excellent condition
Comes with the original wooden storage box, cover inscribed: shôzui hakkaku kogo (octagonal incense box), box signed on the side: Tokusen tsukuru and seal Tokusen.
Nishimura Tokusen III (1928-2007) was a famous potter from the Nishimura family in Kyoto. His grandfather opened the Tokusen-kiln on Gojosaka, which he took over. Tokusen trained under his father, Tokusen II, Kusube Yaichi and Kiyomizu Rokubei VI. However, given the seal on the box, it may be that this piece was not made by Tokusen III, but by Tokusen II. Nothing is known about him.
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The shoulder of the vase decorated in blue, white and greenish enamels and gold with leaf-like shapes, meandering lines and dots.
Unsigned. Japan, Meiji era or later? The vase itself may be earlier than the enamel decoration
H 15 in. (38 cm)
Excellent condition
Previously in the “Memento mori” collection of Richard Harris, Chicago. The collection was on display at several locations, under the title “The Death, A Self-portrait” (2012/13 London) and “Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection” (2012 Chicago)
$300.00
Mingei
Mashiko ware, Japan, late Showa or Heisei era
Vase unsigned
H 8 x diam ca. 4.25 in.
Mint condition
Comes with the original tomobako storage box. Cover inscribed on inside: Flower vase with design of finger-drawing in 2 colors and signed Kazuo with red seal Aki (in mirror image). Cover somewhat damaged.
Akiyama Kazuo (b. 1933) is an artist who started as a painter and changed to ceramic arts in 1960. Worked in the Mashiko tradition and has/had his own kiln.
$350.00
Seal impressed in bottom: Tobei.
Japan, Hagi ware, ca. 1981
H 2 x L 3.25 x D 1.1 in.p> Perfect condition.
Comes with the original wrapping cloth with seal of the artist and with original tomobako inscribed Hagi inoshishi (boar) kogo, and signed Tobei XII with round seal of the artist.
Tahara Tobei 12th (1925-1992) worked in the town of Nagato in Yamaguchi Prefecture, not far away from the town of Hagi. He learned ceramics from his father and brother. Began ceramics in earnest after the war, and after the death of his brother (Tobei XI) inherited the Tobe name. In addition to the traditional Tahara family techniques and style, he studied Goryeo and Korean pottery, as well as Urasenke style tea ceremony, and devoted himself to making tea ware. He was declared an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1981.
Tobei XII made a series of kogo in the shape of the 12 signs of the animal zodiac.
$400.00
Seto region, Japan, 19th century
H 3 x W 5.25 x D 5 in.
Two unprofessionally, but lovingly repaired chips at the lip. One on the inside, one on the outside. One ‘almost’-chip on the lip with frittings. Small glaze losses on the inside and outside and more so in the hakeme. Nevertheless good piece in stable condition.
More photos available upon request
$1,500.00
No potter’s mark, but the bowl has strong resemblances to works by Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966). The foot, the underglaze slip-trail decoration, the clay and the glazes are all pointing to the master. No storage box.
Japan, first half 20th century
H 3.6 x Diam. 4.25 in.
Mint condition
$1,500.00
Japan, Seto region, very early Edo period.
H 3 x W 5.5 in.
Excellent condition
Comes with a red silk pouch and a fitted storage box of wood, not inscribed.
Excellent size for smaller hands.
More images upon request
$600.00
H ca 7 in., W at foot 4 ¼ in.
Mint condition. The piece does not come with a box.
Nakazato Muan (1895-1985) inherited the artist name Taroemon XII, in 1927, following his father who was Taroemon XI. In 1928 he reconstructed the Ochawan kiln that had been used since feudal times. He studied old Karatsu ware, which had died a long time ago, in an attempt to revive it.
1955: Acknowledges as an Intangible Cultural Asset for Karatsu ware
1967: Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
1969: Received the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure
1970: Received the Western Japan Culture Award
1976: Acknowledged as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Karatsu ware
In 1959 Taroemon XII retired and entered priesthood in Daitokuji in Kyoto, carrying the name Muan henceforth. His son took over the business under the name Taroemon XIII. Muan dedicated himself from there on to creating his original pottery.
$800.00
Japan, probably around 2000
H 10 x W 4.75 in.
Mint condition
Miyamoto Masao (b. 1971), son of renowned Kutani potter Miyamoto Tadao, graduated 1996 from Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1999 he was certified as a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association. He participated in several prestigious exhibitions and won awards. Masao works both in traditional Kutani shapes and colors and in more avant garde style. The kiln is called Shinseigama.
$340.00
Very soft clay modeled in a mold and fired at low heat. Painted with gofun (ground eggshell producing the white color), natural/mineral pigments and gold, applied after the figure has cooled. The soles of the paws are left uncolored (light brown)
Japan, Meiji era, about 1900.
H 7.4 x L 7 x W 3.25 in.
The black and white of the dog’s fur is soiled, rubbed, and somewhat crumbling and fragile, showing partially the underlying brown clay, some touch-ups in the black areas; all in all, in good, stable condition
Clay dolls – kawara ningyo - have been produced in large quantities all over Japan at least since the early Edo period. They were made as toys and souvenirs for travelers. Clay was hand-modeled or put in molds to make different shapes, which were fired at a low heat. Subsequently, each figurine was painted with bright (mineral/natural) colors. It is a craft, mingei or folk art, with regional differences in colors and subject matter. In Koga, Nagasaki, the subject was mostly figures related to the foreigner traders that were living in the Nagasaki area, such as Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch, but also monkeys and other animals.
In the early days, a large variety of models were made. Although the dolls are still made today, the number of different models has been reduced.
$500.00
Grayish brown stoneware built up from coils of clay; the inside covered with green glaze, the outside left unglazed. On the outside sits a dark brown, three-dimensional octopus, the way an octopus would sit on an octopus trap under water, on its way to inspect the inside of the jug.
Black ink inscription, almost washed away completely.
Unsigned. Seto ware, probably Meiji era (ca. 1900).
H 10.25 x W at widest point ca. 6 in.
Small and old chip at edge of foot, few minor frittings along the bottom edge. All in all in very good condition
$300.00
Traditional vase for ikebana, flower arrangement.
In the bottom there is a potter’s seal in the shape of a double gourd: Koji (unidentified).
Japan, Meiji-Taisho era, 1910s
H 7.8 in.
Excellent condition
$300.00
Impressed potter seal Sakusuke inside gourd, and engraved smiley-shaped kao.
H 5.75 (with cover) x W 6.25 in.
Japan, ca 1970s
Undamaged condition
Comes with a wooden storage box inscribed on the cover: Seto; and signed Sakusuke saku and with the artist’s seal
Kato Sakusuke IV (1909-1996) was the 25th in line from Kato Kagemasa, the founder of Seto ware.
He graduated from the Kyoto Vocational School for Industrial Crafts in 1932, and trained in Kyoto for three more years. After returning to Seto and began making pottery under the guidance of his father. He inherited the title of Sakusuke IV in 1944.
He studied the traditional techniques of Oribe, Kuro-Oribe, Ki-Seto, and Ofuke, creating masterful and traditional ceramic/ceremonial works. In 1984 he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of the Prefecture of Aichi.
$450.00
On the outside in a white rectangular reserve with black outlines the signature Kenzan. Japan, 1950s.
In the style of Ogata Kenzan or Ogata Kenzan studio.
H 4; w 12 inches.
Tiny chip on inner rim, otherwise excellent condition.
$325.00
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves (front and back) and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with some gomma. Details are beautifully worked.
Small seal impressed in the back: Bizen … [illegible].
H 10.25 inches
Japan, Bizen/Inbe, mid 20th century
Crack along the vertical joint in the right side, from which three very thin horizontal cracks spring (two towards the front, one towards the back). Despite that, stable and sturdy condition. Molding flaw in the ear that is not considered a damage.
Please ask for pictures for a detailed report on the damages
Gomma (sesame seed) is created by the ash of the pinewood with which the kiln is fired. It lands on the object and melts due to the high temperature. Gomma cannot be steered, it occurs spontaneously. It occurs more profusely near where the fire is. The ashes blow into the kiln flowing on the flames. The further away from the fire, the less ash remains floating through the air.
$550.00
Nine spurmarks in the center.
Mingei
Seto ware, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850
H 2-2.25 x diam. 12 in.
Several small scuffs and frittings in the rim, one large chip on the underside of the time, showing that the rim is hollow
From a private collection of mingei ceramics in New Jersey
$230.00
Potter’s mark on the bottom (looks like a smiley face), which is the signature mark of Kato Sakusuke IV.
Seto, Japan, 1970s or a little later
H 6.5 x diam 4.5 in.
Mint condition
Comes with the original wooden storage box, inscribed Ko Seto gama (seal in upper right); Kiseto, kabin (flower vase in yellow Seto; and signed Sakusuke saku and with the artist’s seal
Kato Sakusuke IV (1909-1996) was the 25th in line from Kato Kagemasa, the founder of Seto ware.
He graduated from the Kyoto Vocational School for Industrial Crafts in 1932, and trained in Kyoto for three more years. After returning to Seto and began making pottery under the guidance of his father. He inherited the title of Sakusuke IV in 1944.
He studied the traditional techniques of Oribe, Kuro-Oribe, Ki-Seto, and Ofuke, creating masterful and traditional ceramic/ceremonial works. In 1984 he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of the Prefecture of Aichi.