Topic: Pr Japanese Vases with Graduated Monochrome Glaze & Raised Gilt - Awaji?

[Mosquito]

I've had this lovely pair of vases for some time now, but have yet to figure out their exact age & origin.

They are earthenware with a cream coloured glaze, very much in the Satsuma style; however, the cream glaze has been overlayed with a translucent monochrome blue glaze, similar to that seen on Awaji wares, but which graduates in intensity towards the bottom. They have then been decrated with a painted and gilt design of geese and butterflies, in what I would think of an Oriental rather than western taste.

My best guess is that they are turn of the century (19th/20th) or so in date but any further information would be much appreciated. The bases have unusual hiragan marks which appear to read 'Ha Ko'. I've not seen marks like this before.

Thanks,

Steven

[Mosquito]

Just adding another pic of the decoration.

[keith]

Got me on these ???it does look like Hirigana and the vase on the left I think says 'Ha Ni',the other I can't,as yet find a match

[Mosquito]

I now suspect these may be from Kyoto - I've seen several items with a graduated blue glaze similar to this, sometimes with similar cold-painted lacquer & gilt decoration, with a Kyoto attribution. A dealer site in the US has a couple here: http://www.1stdibs.com/midcenturyfurniture/furniture_item_detail.php?id=258591 & http://www.1stdibs.com/midcenturyfurniture/furniture_item_detail.php?id=331015

Does anyone agree with this attribution? Certainly none of my books cover Awaji or Kyoto wares, does anyone know of a good book covering these turn of the century Japanese wares? There doesn't seem to be a great deal of indformation available online.

Thanks,
Steven

[keith]

Have looked through my books and,well I'm stumped all the stuff listed as Awaji or Kyoto look nothing like these,the pic's from the US dealer are the only ones anything similar,will google a bit more and see what comes up,Keith.

[Mosquito]

I've found another relative of these vases. It's in a classic double-gourd or calabash shape. It features a similar earthenware body, graduate glaze and raised lacquered & gilt decoration...

The major difference is that the glaze is an aubergine colour with the darker colour towards the base rather than the rim. the technique and general feel of the vase is similar to the pair I posted above - so much so that I strongly suspect they are from the same source.

There's an over glaze mark to the base (seems to be in the same painted lacquer as the body decoration), though it has largely flaked off and can no longer be read...

Still no nearer with finding the maker sadly, though I'm confident these are Japanese and date from around the turn of the 19th-20th century.

[keith]

I'd agree with Japanese,as for the marks they drive me batty :czy:I've numerous pieces with odd squiggles that defy translation,interesting vase