IKAYAKI AND TAIYAKI

Contemporary pottery pieces of 'Ikayaki' (Grilled squid) and 'Taiyaki' (Sea bream-shaped cake) made from old 'Kashigata' (Auspicious wooden molds for making traditional Japanese confectionery). Squid: 14 x 9cm (5.51 x 3.54in), Sea bream: 8.5 x 8cm (3.34 x 3.14in)...

A complete set of 12 Tokkuri sake flasks by Imaizumi Imaemon XII enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Each is uniquely decorated with a delicately rendered image of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. With a diverse enough crowd, each person could drink from their own sign. Each piece is in perfect condition. They are all identical in height and shape. roughly 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A bowl and accompanying saucer or stand both with slightly everted lips. Decorated in a combination of underglaze blue with enamels, iron red and green, with gilding...

An Imari dish decorated with a central motif of bronze vase or censer with elaborate foliate handles containing Peonies, Maple branches and other flowers, flanked by low balustrade fences and sitting on board floor. The rim decorated with an unusual Aoi-mon (Tokugawa-mon) vine arabesque Karakusa border. The dish dates to the early 18th century circa 1700-1730. The reverse decorated with three branches of Peach blossom. A single ring to the interior of the footring...

A high quality "Porcelain for Palaces" type Arita dish with foliate rim in Imari export style decorated in the full Imari five colour palette principally with Irises, Peonies and Chrysanthemums, with Fence-work and Plum trees and a central motif of Peonies. The reverse decorated with flowering Plum and Rock peonies and an Artemesia leaf. For a set of thirteen dishes with the same pattern in the Royal Collection see C&J : Ayers, J., 2016...

A large plate decorated in the three colour sancai palette with a central Peony motif with three reserves one with Peonies, emblematic of Spring, a pair of Quails beneath Millet and another with Chrysanthemums, emblematic of the months of Autumn. The partially ogee form reserves set against a blue brocade ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs. A single spur to the base...

A large plate decorated in the three colour sancai palette with a central Peony motif with three reserves one with Peonies, emblematic of Spring, a pair of Quails beneath Millet and another with Chrysanthemums, emblematic of the months of Autumn. The partially ogee form reserves set against a blue brocade ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs. A three spur marks in a triangular arrangement to the base...

A large plate decorated in the three colour sancai palette with a central Peony motif with three reserves one with Peonies, emblematic of Spring, a pair of Quails beneath Millet and another with Chrysanthemums, emblematic of the months of Autumn. The partially ogee form reserves set against a blue brocade ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs. A three spur marks in a triangular arrangement to the base...

A good Arita moulded foliate rimmed dish decorated in an Imari three colour style with a central motif of entwined Pine, Plum and Bamboo branches with a wide border containing Chrysanthemum’s and Irises and Peonies growing from stylised rockwork. The reverse decorated with various sprigs with Peony, Camelia and Plum flowers. A set of four spurs in a “Y” shaped formation supporting the base of the dish...

A rather unusual export dish decorated with a Kraak style border of six larger panels containing respectively a pair of Peaches, symbols of Longevity, and a scroll and whisk, representative of the Eight precious objects, Baxia, with the smaller intermediate panels decorated with a combined clove and jewelled Rhinoceros horn motif...

An unusual large Japanese bowl featuring three light purple elephants in ceremonial attire resting among many flowers. The bowl is excellent condition, except for some wear to the gold around the rim. Measures 11.5 inches in diameter. Dates late Edo, late 1840's.

A rare and vivid Imari ware porcelain tea pot, made around 1850 in the famous Hichozan Kiln. Hichozan was a trade name used by the group of Arita kilns & makers mainly for export during the late Edo to the Meiji period in the 19th century. Their works are hold in museums and from collectors worldwide.

A Fu lion is hand-painted on the body. The signatures of "Hichozan" and the potters name are written on the bottom.

No chips, no cracks, just great...

Japanese porcelain soup tureen whose shape is inspired by European goldsmith pieces. On the sides two heads of modeled Buddhist lions and on the lid a crown. Simple decor of phoenixes, flowers, plants and waves in the color palette of the Imari style. An old collector's label indicated that this tureen was part of the service of Augustus the Strong. Probably verifiable statement for motivated collectors. From memory, a Japanese porcelain sauce boat whose shape was also inspired by European gold...

An exquisite porcelain vase decorated with a delicate depiction in over-glaze enamel of plum and bamboo by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gosai Bichiku-e Kabin (Vase with Plum and Bamboo in Five-Color Glaze). A rare work reflecting his roots in Kutani ware. It is 29.5 cm (11-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before moving to Tokyo in...

This is a truly rare and fabulous Satsuma Vase. It was made for the Japanese Imperial family. It has been in a private collection for decades. On one side all the blossoming flowers have raised relief enamel work. The gold detailing on this vase is as fine as we have ever seen. Unique glossy deep green ground on each panel. The blue Interspersed among this gilt decoration are the Imperial 16 petal Chrysanthemums and Kiri Mons. The footed base also exquisitely decorated heavily in gilt designs....

The 14 petal Imperial Chrysanthemum forms a triad emblazoned in gold on the lid of this exquisite mizusashi fresh water jar by Imperial Court Artist Ito Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated as having been received in June 1911. The box is tied with a green silk chord. The piece is 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm diameter, roughly 7 inches (18 cm) tall and is in perfect condition. The 16 petal seal with 16 petals between is used only by the emperor. Other branches of the imperial fam...

A spectacular pair of vases by Ito Tozan I decorated with the imperial chrysanthemum in gold between soaring phoenix; symbols of the Japanese imperial family. Both come in the original (tired) silk pouch in a compartmentalized wooden box signed by the artist. Each is roughly 6 inches tall and in excellent condition, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (later Meiji to Taisho period).
Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) began as a painter in the Maruyama school studying under Koizumi Tog...