Japanese Glazed Stoneware Tea Ceremony Tile, Seto
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Pre 1900 item# 510551 (stock# 2B-793)
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203-929-7312
$495
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This wonderful early example of Japanese mingei folk ceramics is a thick “bedding tile” in rare snowflake form that was likely potted at the Seto kilns in the late Edo period, ca. 1800-1850. The glazed tile is boldly hand painted with a classic freestyle floral design in brown iron oxide and cobalt blue on a clear crazed ground. The bottom is unglazed except for the edges where the glaze from the front has overrun the sides. Such tiles were typically placed beneath the portable iron brazier (furo-gama) used in the tea ceremony during the warmer months of May through October. The style of decoration is very similar to that of a Seto “ishi-zara” (“stone plate” or “herring plate”), a thick-walled and sturdy shallow bowl with a horizontally everted rim. These were typically decorated in just two colors, iron-oxide brown and cobalt-oxide blue under a clear glaze on buff-colored clay, and the designs always possessed a spontaneous vitality.
Folk pottery consists of various kinds of domestic wares which possess a natural dignity that stems from the combination of the materials used to make and fire the pottery, the craftsman’s technical skill, and the use to which such pottery is put. Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this tile is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is humble, unassuming and never pretentious. Condition: there are signs of considerable use and age, with wear spots on the glaze, small glaze losses at the rim and stains, and a possible restoration at one corner (see Enlargement Photo 5 for the corner). These blemishes are not uncommon on utilitarian mingei ceramics and, in fact, actually lend character to the piece without detracting from its value. Dimensions: 10” (25 cm) diameter, ¾” (2 cm) thick.
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Rare Pair Ceramic Screen Holders in Rabbit Form, Meiji
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Pre 1900 item# 501150 (stock# 2B-773)
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203-929-7312
$1,195 for Pair
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These two beautifully modeled Japanese stoneware hares have special slots cut from their back sides for the sole purpose of holding each end of a Japanese folding screen (“byobu”) to keep it weighted on the floor. Meiji period, ca. 1880. A two character signature mark “Koshun” is impressed into each of the unglazed bases. Both rabbits are finished in a rich creamy off white glaze with very fine overall crackling, and there is a firing hole in the slot. Each rabbit is sitting on its haunches, resting on all four feet, with its head raised and ears lowered back. A varied Asian cultural heritage colors the legends and design motifs associated with the rabbit or hare (“usagi”). Such legends link the animal to the moon, where it is said to pound rice cakes, and to the elixir of immortality. The rabbit also appears in art as one of the twelve animals of the zodiac. These unique “feet” made to hold a Japanese floor screen were called “byobu osae” or “byobu hasami.” The manner in which these foot-weights were used was described by Edward S. Morse in his book “Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings,” originally published in 1885: “When a Japanese screen is unfolded and placed on the floor, various devices are provided to prevent the end panels being swayed by the wind. These devices may be in the shape of some metal figure which acts as a check, or a heavy weight of pottery made in the shape shown in fig. 158, the end of the screen fitting into the slot in the weight.” Foot weights for screens are more typically found in the form of metal mandarin ducks – to find a pair of antique ceramic byobu osae in the shape of rabbits is exceedingly rare. CONDITION is very good, with some nicks and chips which are consistent with age and usage on the floor. Given their rarity and value, such minor blemishes are quite insignificant. DIMENSIONS: 7” (17.8 cm) long, 4 ¾” (12 cm) wide, 5” (12.7 cm) high.
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Rare Tamba Umbrella Sake Bottle
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Pre 1900 item# 285236 (stock# 2C-377)
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203-929-7312
$1,350
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This classic “kasa-dokkuri,” or “umbrella sake bottle,” with its rich brown fluted ceramic body, is a wonderful example of mingei Tamba ware. Meiji period, late 19th century. An indistinguishable potter’s mark is incised on the base. The unglazed body has no applied glaze, but there is a section on one side and on the mouth where naturally-occurring ash glaze was deposited in the kiln. Tamba, a remote and mountainous area lying to the northeast of Kyoto and Osaka, has been the center of an ancient tradition of pottery for over 600 years. A large variety of utilitarian ceramics were produced there, one of the most striking of which is the unusual “umbrella bottle,” so named because of its obvious resemblance to a folded Japanese oiled paper umbrella. (A similar example can be seen in Figure 69 on page 99 of “Tamba Pottery: The Timeless Art of a Japanese Village.”) Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this tokkuri is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. Condition is excellent, with only a few minor rough areas and kiln spots, which are not unusual on this type of ware. Dimensions: 10” high, 5” diameter at base.
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Arita Blue and White Porcelain Sake Bottle
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Pre 1920 item# 156221 (stock# 2C-326)
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203-929-7312
$170
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Japanese Arita porcelain sake bottle or “tokkuri” in ovoid form in classic floral design. Early 20th century. The front of this white glazed bottle is decorated in underglaze blue with a freely-drawn design of a peony blossom and leaves, and a blue circle containing kanji characters next to a butterfly decorates the back. The base is recessed, and the foot rim is unglazed. This is an example of Arita ware which was made for domestic use and not for export. Arita is a town on the island of Kyushu which has been a center of Japanese porcelain production since the seventeenth century. With Arita blue and whites, the blue is produced from a cobalt or indigo pigment and is painted straight onto the biscuit, after which the piece is glazed and fired. Ceramics for everyday use were made at the same kilns that were producing highly ornate, purely decorative wares primarily for export. These humble storage bottles often have a greater appeal than export ware because they show a highly developed sense for matching materials, form and function with simple beauty. Condition is excellent. Overall dimensions: 8 1/4” high, approximately 5” diameter at widest point.
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Ceramic Hibachi with Blue Flambe Glaze
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Pre 1920 item# 149094 (stock# 2B-517)
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203-929-7312
$595
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The body of this handsome early 20th century Japanese folk ceramic hibachi in rounded 10-sided form is glazed in rich dark brown with an unctuous blue and mauve flambe glaze on its rim and dripping down its sides. The upper half of the interior is washed in brown glaze. We have been unable to determine the folk kiln of its origin. It is often difficult to identify the specific place of manufacture of many 19th and early 20th century Japanese folk ceramics due to the spread of technology from one area to another. This gave rise to a situation in which ceramics of closely similar types were made all over Japan. Hibachi were finely crafted braziers used in old homes and shops to provide heat, warm sake and boil water for tea. This portable fireplace was also the emotional center of the home, since family and friends gathered around its welcoming warmth. Ceramic hibachi made their appearance during the Meiji period and at once gained widespread popularity. A porcelain hibachi became the status symbol of the day. In today’s homes, these old hibachi make stunning coffee tables (just cover it with a round piece of glass) or impressive jardinieres. They are prized for their craftsmanship and can be utilized in many imaginative ways very different from their original purpose. We know of several collectors who use porcelain hibachi to display their treasures such as inro, netsuke, sword furniture or lacquer combs beneath the glass top. Condition is excellent, and the glazing is extremely attractive. Overall dimensions: 14 ½” diameter, 10” high. Weight: 17 pounds.
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Satsuma Teapot with Jakatsu Glazing, Meiji
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Pre 1910 item# 137270 (stock# SB-1)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$145
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This Japanese ceramic teapot is an unusual example of early (“ko”) Satsuma ware. Ca. 1900. The lid and upper two-thirds of the body are covered with deep brown globules of thick glaze. This is a later form of the earlier “jakatsu-gusuri” glazing, which is also known as sharkskin or dragon scale glaze. The glaze was formulated in such a way that it pulled away from portions of the clay surface into small drops, producing an interesting blistered texture. The lower portion and concave base are unglazed. The finely-wrought bamboo rattan handle, embellished with a style of wrapping known as “mushi-maki,” has a wonderful old patina.
Pieces of this type and age are attributed to the productions of the Ryumonji kilns; however, this type of glaze was also used on Soma Obori and Shigaraki wares. Ko Satsuma production included articles for use in the tea ceremony. Such articles were generally small in size. There were many varieties of Ko Satsuma which would not be accepted as “refined” by Western standards. However, to the connoisseur of Japanese ceramics, such wares are highly prized and sought after. This pot was made for domestic use and not for export. A nearly identical tea pot is illustrated in Figure 243, page 139, “Treasury of Satsuma” by Sandra Andacht.
CONDITION is excellent, with normal wear consistent with age and usage. There are minor hairline cracks on the unglazed portion of the base (see Enlargement Photo 8) and some roughage on the tip of the spout. DIMENSIONS: height 5 ½” (14 cm) without handle, 7 ½” (19 cm) with handle raised; 6” (15.3 cm) diameter, 7 ½” (19 cm) overall length including spout.
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Signed Japanese Studio Pottery Vase
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Pre 1900 item# 78835 (stock# 2B-483)
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203-929-7312
$725
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Richly glazed studio pottery bottle vase in tear drop form with “Wakazan” seal mark on a brown base, ca.1900. A thick olive green and brown glaze covers the heavily potted stoneware body. Shades of blue and gold flambe are randomly scattered over the body, with a gold glaze drip around the neck beneath the lip. The interior of the mouth radiates with lustrous and brilliant shades of blue and gold glaze in flambe drips. Functional folk-craft products or “mingei” are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. The apparent simplicity of this vase belies the many subtleties which are noticed when the piece is seen and handled. The glazing on this piece is outstanding, making it a wonderful example of a piece of ceramics upon which the kiln gods smiled during the firing process. (Ex. collection R. B. Caldwell of Dallas, TX. He is a collector well known for his knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture, particularly in the area of tea ceremony ceramics.) Condition is excellent, with two small chips in the foot ring where the olive green glaze drips were broken off. Overall dimensions: 10” high, 6 ½” diameter.
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Japanese Candle-Shaped Ceramic Sake Bottle
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Pre 1920 item# 60069 (stock# 2C-229)
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203-929-7312
$230
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This unusual candle-shaped sake bottle or “rosoku-tokkuri,” which is covered with a deep dark brown glaze, is an example of Tachikui/Tamba ware. Meiji/Taisho period. Unglazed calligraphic symbols, drawn with a wax resist, surround the square-shouldered body of the bottle. The village of Tachikui, located in an isolated mountain region of northern Hyogo Prefecture, is the last pottery village in Tamba. The dominant color of the Tachikui wares is a rich deep brown. (Our enlargement photos 6 and 7 show the true color.) A large variety of utilitarian ceramics were produced there, the most striking of which is the “candle bottle,” so named because its shape resembles that of an old Japanese candle. They are graceful in form and have a particularly fine glaze on a brown body with some of the clay showing through. (See “The Folk Arts of Japan” by Hugo Munsterberg, Plate 25, for a similar example.) Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this sake bottle is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. Condition is excellent, with only a few minor kiln spots. Ex. collection Brooklyn Museum. Overall dimensions: 7” high, 3 ½” diameter at shoulder.
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Unusual Tall Japanese Ceramic Shop Hibachi
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Pre 1920 item# 52575 (stock# 2B-205)
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203-929-7312
$325
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This high-standing ceramic shop hibachi (“mise-hibachi”) features a ribbed concentric ring design with a deep brown glaze streaked with mottled ochre and blue flambe glazes on all sides. Likely Seto ware, Taisho period. Just below the lip is a subtle Chinese key design, which can be seen at certain angles but did not appear in our photographs. There is a thick ceramic divider in the middle to hold the hot coals. The body is hollow above and below this divider, with two cut-out handles on either side just below the lip. Hibachi were finely crafted braziers used in old homes and shops to provide heat, warm sake and boil water for tea. Ceramic hibachi made their appearance during the mid 19th century and at once gained widespread popularity and became the status symbol of the day. Styles varied considerably, with one of the most unusual designs being the shop hibachi, a cylinder tall enough to deliver heat to people who were seated or standing. Ceramic hibachi are prized for their craftsmanship and can be utilized in many imaginative ways very different from their original purpose. They can easily become wine buckets, planters, tables, or holders of magazines or small collections. Condition is excellent, with only a small original kiln firing crack on the unglazed foot. Overall dimensions: 25” high, 11” diameter.
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Bizen Ware Sake Flask in Irregular Form
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Pre 1920 item# 46705 (stock# 2C-281)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$345
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This unusually shaped Bizen ware sake flask (“tokkuri”) has an irregular pinched body and a tall neck. Early 20th century, probably Meiji. You can see that it has been wheel thrown. This is a wonderfully tactile piece with a great “feel,” and it fits perfectly into the hand for pouring. A rich natural ash glaze covers the shoulder and some of the protruding angles, culminating in glaze splotches on some surface areas. For centuries, Bizen has been highly regarded for its dark red-brown stoneware made from iron-rich clay with a natural ash glaze. Bizen is unglazed but fired at such a high a temperature that a natural glaze is formed on the surface. Also upon firing, wood ash flies up in the kiln and is deposited randomly on the pottery, giving each piece its own individuality and vitality. Condition is perfect. Overall dimensions: 9” high, 3 ½” diameter at base.
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