Topic: Unusual garlic head vase with yellow glaze and Japanese? lacquer decoration

[Mosquito]

This was another purchase from the UK. It's now found its way back to the Orient and lives in my study in Shanghai  .

However, this is something of a mystery item. When I first saw the vase, I thought Chinese based on the shape. However, at some time there has been some lacquered and gilt decoration applied over the glaze as can be seen below. This has been applied cold and easily flakes off leaving no obvious traces. As shown, there are only a few patches left, yet these do show some fine painted leaf pattern.

The decoration is quite reminiscent of that seen on my Japanese vases here:
http://www.yobunny.com/pottery/index.php?topic=11205.0

I haven't had chance to measure it yet, but would guess it's about 6 inches tall. the paste is a bright white. The base has an off-centre hand painted over glaze mark in red which appears to read 百五七 (this is just the number 157 written in Hanzi/ Kanji).

While the form and yellow glaze look very Chinese, the paste, applied decoration and mark all make me lean towards Japan as the likely origin of this piece... What do other people think?

Thanks,

Steven

[keith]

Nice find Steven,not seen one like that before,so not a clue I'm afraid,have you looked on 'Gotheborg.com'?

[Mosquito]

Hi Keith, thanks, I've had a look through Gotheborg, but couldn't see anything like this vase. I can find plenty of garlic head vases on the net, but nothing with this style of applied lacquer decoration. It's a lovely piece and certainly has some age, but it is rather a mysterious piece. Despite the very Chinese shape, I'm still leaning to this being Japanese based on the paste, style of mark and decor.