Antique Japanese Kutani Vase, Japan, Meiji Era (1868-1912).

Impressive Japanese Kutani hand-painted earthenware vase of baluster form with stylized handles on the vase shoulder in the form of mythological creatures that protect against evil spirits. The body is decorated with figures of 4 samurai warriors dressed in military armour and preparing for battle against a backdrop of a continuous bamboo landscape.

To know that the vase was painted by a real master, just look at the perfectly painted faces of the samurai.

Decorations on Kutani earthenware were often based on folk history and culture, a typical pattern being the "three friends," namely plum, bamboo, and pine; in our case, it is bamboo. One of the main Kutani typical colors is brownish red. The base is signed in iron-red.

Kutani ware is a type of Japanese pottery that is usually decorated with overglaze painting. Like Imari ware, it is made from clay that is dried before firing. A special type of glaze is used to create the rich pictorial ornamentation and vivid lines that characterize this style. The history of Kutani dates back to 1655, when the first pottery kiln was opened in Kaga, Ishikawa. Production of Kutani ware ceased towards the end of the 17th century, and it was not until the 19th century that production was revived. This was during the Meiji period, when Japan was finally able to open its borders and begin to make contact with the rest of the world. Kutani ware was one of the first pottery styles to be exported outside Japan.

Kutani pottery is classified according to its age. The early period, called the Ko-Kutani era, is extremely rare. However, the later Saiko-Kutani period, which began in the 19th century, was a period of revival of this art.

Height: 31.7 cm, width: 14 cm, depth: 13 cm. Weight: 1083 grams

Condition: Slight loss of paint on the rim, minimal loss of gilding consistent with age. Small fleabite on the bottom, small traces of firing at the top of the neck. Overall, the vase is in excellent antique condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging, and postage.