Width: 23cms
Height: 11.5cms
Depth: 11cms
Date: Circa 1880
£3,250
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Product Code: KPCE311
Artist / Company: Makuzu Kozan
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From our collection of antique Japanese ceramics, this attractive and unusual blue and white porcelain serving boat in the form of a Phoenix and signed Makuzu Kozan.
This unusual and elegant piece is typical of the imaginative sculptural forms of Makazu Kozan. The Phoenix head forms the ‘prow’ of the boat. The wings stretch behind it to create an elegant form. The sides of the boat are decorated appropriately, with waves and Carp whilst the interior of the boat has a delicately-painted floral motif.
Please feel free to contact us for further images, information or to arrange a viewing.
Click on the video below to see a slideshow of photographs of this beautiful piece:
Makuzu Kozan was a Japanese Imperial Ceramicist and one of the most artistically accomplished Potters of the Meiji period.
His works all have an extraordinary uniqueness to them, yet can be easily spotted as being imagined into life by this master craftsman. Though they were created over 100 years ago the designs are timeless and rival modern ceramics in their innovative and unique style.
As well as being highly collectable and sought after today, his genius was recognized in his lifetime, he won prizes at 51 exhibitions including the famous Worlds fair. Originally born Miyagawa Toranosuke, came from Kyoto and was from a long line of accomplished potters who were known for making tea utensils. At the age of 18 Toranosuke took over the business from his father and became Makuzu Kozan. He had trained with bunjinga (intellectual painters) and brought this artistic flair to his family craft. In 1870 he moved the workshops to Yokohama, seeing an opportunity for trade as it had recently opened as a treaty port.
Despite there being no historic ceramic or craft tradition in Yokohama and the first few years being difficult he made a success of his business. Though not through entirely honest means; at the time new satsuma-ware was distressed to look old and sold and antique there is solid evidence that Makuzu participated in this dubious trade.
This provided the capital to allow him to create more artistic wares and as Japan opened more to trade and began exhibiting at fairs and expositions he really came into his own. His high relied works at the Philadelphia exposition caused a real stir and the world turned it’s eye to Japanese ceramics. He also expanded to non-satsuma ceramics, many of which were shown at the Tokyo Exposition of 1877, this is where The Emperor touched one of his vases, propelling him to recognition and stardom. He also excelled in the technical aspects of the ceramic arts winning prizes for his innovation in glazes.Despite suffering health and money problems towards the end of his life a vase exhibited at the Japan-British Exhibition of 1910 was described as a perfect piece both artistically and technically. His work massively influenced Western perceptions of Japanese art and design and these ripples can still be seen in Japanese art today.
Phoenix
The Phoenix is a powerful symbol in Japan and is seen to represent the Empress. When used to decorate an object or house, it symbolises the loyalty and honesty of the people that live there. Traditionally a Phoenix will only stay somewhere, where the ruler is without corruption.
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We are members of BADA, LAPADA and CINOA, working closely with these associations and we are very proud of our reputation as one of the most established, valued and trusted dealers of Japanese and Chinese Art and Antiques in the industry.
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