A Gem

Japan, a fine substantial 11″ tall antique monumental blue drip double handled vase with dramatic light and dark blues and mahogany crackled drip glazes.

It was crafted by the master artisans of the Japanese southern Awaji Kiln, from the late Meiji to Taisho period (1910s-1920s).

The impressive porcelain vase crafted in a classic modernist form with an original multi blue drip and mahogany glazed finish. It is unsigned as many normally were from that period and is in original condition with normal kiln origination surface creation imperfections.

Dimensions: 11 inches tall and 13 inches diameter top handle to handle.

Provenance: private New England collection.

Undoubtedly influenced by the modernist movement and more likely by the visit to the Awaji kilns by the noted English designer Christopher Dresser of Linthorpe Art Pottery, Yorkshire, UK (his visit recorded in 1875), this pottery kiln was located on Awaji island in Japan between Honshu and Shikoku. It was founded about 1830 by a doctor named Minpei in the village of Iga. The Awaji potters were masters of their pottery crafts, specialists in using colorful high-fired, white or cream colored clays with brilliant monochromatic colored crackled and drip glazes. It is quite normal to see original to creation surface kiln imperfections in the glazes as this one. This rare singular vase is the only example of its size and handsome blue colors like this we have seen.

About Japan’s Colorful Hand made Awaji Pottery

Awaji pottery date from about 1830 during the Edo period to the 1930’s early Showa period. Awaji potteries began exporting their wares in about 1870-1880. In the 1930’s the Awaji kilns closed. Awaji pottery is unique in Japanese and international works of art. It’s high-fired white or cream clay pottery is largely hand thrown and depicts an array of handsome balanced designs and shapes, a wide variety of pleasing brilliant colors, attractive translucent crackled glazing, and feature master decorative techniques. Colors include cobalt blue, natural greens, pale to amber yellows, and aubergine (egg plant color). In addition, some glazed pots may possess lighter shades of green, blue, turquoise, black and burgundy. Cobalt colored Iris applied designs created in the art nouveau taste of that time, were just one of Awaji master potter favorites and were a trade mark of Awaji potteries.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

We are members of the NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

Our gallery based in Newport, Rhode Island USA has been dealing in authentic Pre-Columbian, Japanese and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels across America as well as Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.