Pair of Japanese Kakiemon Imari Vases, Meiji (item #488623)

Japanese and Chinese antiques and art from B & C

Pair of Japanese Kakiemon Imari Vases, Meiji

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All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Porcelain: Pre 1920: item # 488623

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B & C Antiques
P. O. Box 291
Derby, CT 06418
203-929-7312

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$1,495 for Pair

Pair of Japanese Kakiemon Imari Vases, Meiji

These classic Arita porcelain vases in desirable fluted double gourd form are painstakingly decorated in Kakiemon style with soft overglaze enamels. Meiji period (1868-1920). The base bears a red “fuku” (good fortune or happiness) mark. The front of each vase is finely hand painted in the traditional Kakiemon palette of iron red, blue, green, aubergine and gold enamels over a clear bright white glaze. The elegant brushwork decoration includes a long-tailed ho-o bird (phoenix) and other small birds amid flowering chrysanthemums and blossoming paulownia in a stylized rock garden. A delicate lappet design surrounds the gilded lip, and the narrow waist is encircled by a scrolling vine and floral design. The thick foot ring surrounding the fuku mark is unglazed, the clay pure and smooth. Kakiemon is considered to be one of the finest of Japanese porcelains. These wares were always highly refined -- the body a very pure white, the colors brilliant and clear. Unlike the highly decorated Imari porcelains, there is a great restraint in the delicate designs which seldom cover more than one-third to one-half of the surface of the object. In Japan, the phoenix came to be a symbol of imperial authority, frequently combining with other motifs, especially the paulownia, that enjoyed similar status. Tradition holds that the paulownia is the only tree on which the legendary phoenix alights. Represented with the body of a pheasant and the tail feathers of a peacock, the ho-o bird signifies uprightness, humility, honesty and sincerity. Ho-o were said to mate for life and so served as a beautiful motif for gifts given to young brides. Condition is perfect. Dimensions: 7” (18 cm) high, 3 ½” (9 cm) diameter.