Antique Kutani Porcelain Plate - Meiji Period - Japan

Porcelain : Antique : Kutani : Kutani Porcelain : Meiji : Yo And Uba

 

This is a SUPERBLY crafted & signed Kutani Porcelain plate dating back to Meiji period Japan. The entire rim is richly adorned with a dense arrangement of geometrical and leaf shapes building a beautiful frame for the central imagery. Unfolding at the centre of the plate we find the depiction of the legendary "old couple" Yo and Uba with their classical companion the Minogame turtle. The protagonists are resting underneath a majestic pine tree at the river shore. Cranes can be seen in the tree and sailing boats on the river.

In Japanese tradition, the old couple, Yo and Uba, is a symbol of the happiness of family life. The couple was living in perfect harmony and they grew old together. Both lived to a very great age, dying at the same hour on the same day, and since then their spirits abide in the trees and on moonlight nights they return to human shape to revisit the scene of their earthly felicity at Lake Takasago!

SPECIFICATIONS:

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan.

DATE: Meiji period (1868 - 1912).

MARKS: Artist studio mark on the underside.

MATERIAL: Porcelain.

MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE: Very fine hand painting with black, red, gold & multicolored enamels.

CONDITION: Very good ORIGINAL as found condition with abrasions to the gold paint. NO RESTORATION! (Pictures are part of description.) SIZE: Diameter is 12.2 inches. (asia 59sz)

This delightful Kutani porcelain plate dates back to Meiji period Japan. On the underside we find the artist studio mark and the pristine condition adds furthermore to the value of this hard to find artwork.

Kutani Porcelain was first made in 1655, in the Kutani "Nine Valleys Village" in the first year of the Myoreki epoch and is famed for its colorful and traditional style. Many styles of Kutani porcelain decoration were centered in the rice-growing Kaga province and may originally have developed to sustain trade in rice for undecorated ceramics from areas such as Arita. Diverse styles of decorations are associated with Kutani, the most popular are the elaborate red designs.

Item ID: A3862