Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Japanese Yokohama Porcelain Vases to the 19th Century.
Pieces bearing the mark of the Yokohama-based Takasaka Toemon workshop are extraordinary collector's rarities.
Provenance and rarity: The historical and artistic significance of this master's work is unconditionally confirmed by the fact that pieces from his workshop are included in the legendary Tetsuto Tanabe collection. Tetsuto Tanabe is a premier Japanese researcher and collector whose unsurpassed assembly of Meiji-era export art serves as the global standard and forms the foundation for major state museum exhibitions. Ordinary pieces or works by average artists are never represented in this collection. At the landmark exhibition Meiji: The Lost Ceramics of Yokohama and Tokyo at the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Takasaka Toemon's creations were exhibited directly alongside outstanding masterpieces by the titans of Japanese porcelain. This presented pair of vases unequivocally belongs to this elite tier.
Technique: The base for these vases is a flawless, snow-white porcelain body, characteristic of the finest Yokohama studios that purchased perfect blanks for decoration. The painting astounds with phenomenal detail and delicacy. The reserves depict genre scenes featuring Japanese beauties (bijin) and children (karako), whose faces are painted with incredible expressiveness. The composition is framed by magnificent purple and yellow irises and fluttering butterflies. The virtuoso use of the complex moriage technique adds particular value: the artist created a unique ribbed texture on the yellow iris petals, made the fans in the ladies' hands convex, and applied 3D relief work to their traditional hairpins, creating a profound three-dimensional effect.
Dimensions: Height: 20.8 cm. Diameter: 12.5 cm and 12.6 cm. Weight: 569 grams and 585 grams.
Condition: The condition for antique items of this age is practically perfect; the vases have been thoroughly checked under UV light. There is minor, natural rubbing to the gilding on the upper rims and handles. On the first vase, there is a tiny, practically invisible superficial scratch in the paint near one figure, and a microscopic hidden fleabite chip on the inside of the bottom rim, which is absolutely invisible when displayed. On the second vase, there is a tiny factory gold dot on the neck of one figure.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.
Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Japanese Yokohama Porcelain Vases to the 19th Century.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page
Exceptional Pair of Museum Quality Yokohama Porcelain Vases by Takasaka Toemon, Meiji Period
