Hi Tim, 

I did a really quick search on Kutani.org, and I believe the left column reads: 雪花堂 , which translates to Sekka do. Active towards late Meiji/early Taisho. 

You are correct with Dai Nippon Kutani. 

I will do a more thorough look-through when I get back, but I have to take off for a bit. I will lastly add that I think this is a beautiful small vase. Great quality that I'd say is on the earlier end of his career rather than Taisho period. 

Kindly,

John

@bartholin John, thank you for the artist name, and the compliment is much appreciated.

I couldn’t put it down… good kutani is quite rare, and so under appreciated. It was pricey considering the size.  Oh well… just money.

Anyway… quick search of ‘Sekka kutani’ on Google came up empty - not entirely surprising.

If you come across other works, I’d be interested in seeing/comparing.

Best,

Tim

Hi Tim,

I will email you what else I've found. I agree, most Kutani lacks detail, but once you find a nice quality piece, it is breathtaking. 

Kind regards,

John

@bartholin Stopped by a high end consignment shop this morning and picked up 2 more large kutani figures for my collection!

The lamps are late 19- early 20th c, so the figure appear to be of the same period.

I’ll need to soak them in hot water to get the glue loose, but otherwise perfect condition!

Facial details are really expressive.

That's a very nice find! I really should go out and check my local shops - maybe I'll find something fun like you always do. Let me know when you do get the glue off if there are any markings and I'll take a look for you. Although, I have a gut feeling these will be marked with the generic Kutani mark (九谷). I agree with your dating from what I can see, and I wonder what the staff/fan represents. Thanks for sharing that!

@greeno107 Here's some of my Yokohama, or Tokyo style, Kutani, of course sticking to my maritime theme (I call it "Fish and Ships") 😆 . They're an interesting style of Kutani different from the red and gold akae-Kutani. All Yokohama Kutani date between 1880 and 1925.

I haven't done research on the marks since they just came in, and the teacup/saucer don't really fit in that photo since that's marked Kaga-Kuni, but I was too lazy to remove it. 

@bartholin Those are GREAT! I’ve  got a pair of plates depicting ocean/ seaside landscapes of similar age, but those fish are just my thing.

I can’t quite capture my figures better qualities… the photos make the look very run of the mill. Kind of like the million Hotei figures that are out there.

Maybe when I have them off their bases they’ll look better… or not.

I don't think your figures are "run of the mill" at all. I think they're well done, with expressive faces, but my favorite parts are definitely their hand articles and overlapping clothes. I'm not great with symbolism, but I think those are lingzhi motifs in the shoes, fan handle, and staff?

Thank you, Tim! I think these sort of fish subject matters are very attractive. I'm always on the lookout for these because they remind me of Hiroshige's Uozukushi series. There's an amazing bowl (in my opinion) that passed earlier last month that I tried to acquire: 
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/112297103_japanese-kutani-porcelain-bowl

I contacted Mr. Bouvier and Peter about it and they both said anything over $1000 is overpaying, and that it's mid-century Showa period rather than 19th century, but it still blew through the estimate (sold at the same price the bowl did in 1999). Perhaps a signal that mid-century Japanese wares are rising back in value?

@bartholin I definitely think an increase in appreciation of 20th c. Japanese works is not only on the rise, but is being rapidly popularized.

I’m a fan of Anime (cartoons) at age 51, and my son (24) even more so, and the cultural and artistic elements of the Meiji and Taisho periods are deeply engrained in these programs.  

In fact, there are several series dedicated to Ukiyo-e as a subject matter, and antique hunting.

With such huge global appeal, once the connection between anime followers and Japanese art collectors fully intersect, I suspect we’ll see prices that rival Chinese antiques.

@bartholin Do you know the mark in that bowl?

I have a plate with the same mark. I attribute it to the late 19th c. The sales result is impressive, but we’ll deserved.

@greeno107, That's funny you should mention that. I (24) am also an avid Anime fan, which I think drives my appreciation for Japanese art - would you mind sharing those series about antique hunting/Ukiyo-e? I haven't come across them yet and would love to check them out. I just spoke to my fiancée, also an anime fan, and she agrees with your thoughts. 

On the mark for the bowl, I spoke to Mr. Bouvier about that, and he was unable to identify the mark, nor his colleagues in Japan. He was actually hesitant to describe it as Kutani. Would you mind sharing photos of your plate? 

@bartholin Well, I think my first encounter was an episode of Samurai Champloo where the episode was based upon an Ukiyo-e artist who persuades Fuu to model for him, then hands her over to kidnappers.  There was a lot of backstory given on the art of Ukiyo-e.

Hunter vs Hunter had several episodes on antique Buddha, and the trade in general.

There is a series on the life of Hokusai, but I don’t know the name, and my son tells me there is now a series that focuses entirely on antiques.

Guess you just have to search Crunchy Roll.

The artistry of Demon Slayer, and other hand painted anime, draws their inspiration directly from Shin Hanga artwork.

When I’m home tomorrow I’ll post the plate. My gut tells me it falls into the Nippon wares that mimic Chinese porcelains and ko-kutani enamels.

Posted by: @greeno107

@bartholin I definitely think an increase in appreciation of 20th c. Japanese works is not only on the rise, but is being rapidly popularized.

I’m a fan of Anime (cartoons) at age 51, and my son (24) even more so, and the cultural and artistic elements of the Meiji and Taisho periods are deeply engrained in these programs.  

In fact, there are several series dedicated to Ukiyo-e as a subject matter, and antique hunting.

With such huge global appeal, once the connection between anime followers and Japanese art collectors fully intersect, I suspect we’ll see prices that rival Chinese antiques.

That is my theory also, the billions and billions spent on virtual items by players in the virtual gaming industry, Japanese cartoons etc, then some of it will shift to Satsuma and other Japanese items.At least that is my theory, a fraction of those people will want some more tangible. In saying that, it might not happen. Instead some trend might erupt to fill that niche, but at least something will find it's way to physical Japanese Art.

However, I am now finding it very very hard to find good quality Satsuma. 2 years ago, there was a much better supply and the prices were exceptionally good value, and while the prices have remained somewhat stable, the problem is now supply. I struggle to find good satsuma. 

The real question is whether fakes will emerge, or more than likley a modern trend in reproduction is more probable. A hybrid or Modern styles fans are used too combined with traditional meiji arts and craft, when that happens it will of course have a strong effect on prices in Antique Japanese art. 

That is my hot air balloon theory, i have been banging that little drum now for the last few years 🙂 

@bartholin Here’s the plate….

Seems to fit with the late 19th c. style of Nippon wares that encompassed Chinese style and enamels.

I know you felt that the fish bowl you saw at auction might have drawn inspiration from woodblock print by HIROSHIGE (and probably did), but look at this late 19th bowl I own that comes from Austria.  Some of the fish look quite similar.

Japan was amid the art nouveau movement, so no doubt it was both contributing and borrowing from European art of the same period.