Aode Kutani Porcelain Vase Antique Japanese Hand Painted Cranes Meiji 45 cm

A large Japanese Meiji period Aode Kutani porcelain vase, beautifully and intricately hand painted, in a very decorative and auspicious style. The vase dates from the late 19th century during the Meiji period circa 1890.

This beautiful baluster shaped vase with a short flared or trumpet neck, is decorated with two different scenes each showing two young aristocratic Japanese women dressed in elaborately embroidered silk floral pattern furisode (swinging sleeve) kimono. This type of kimono traditionally indicates a young adult unmarried woman in Japanese culture. They are both shown on a beach collecting shells under prunus or plum blossom, a symbol of Spring, with a stylised wavy sea painted behind them. The space around these two scenes is filled with a flock of about 40 cranes shown flying amongst green painted cloud scrolls and copious gilding.

In Japan, the crane is a mystical creature and is believed to live for a thousand years. In Japanese, Chinese and Korean culture, the crane represents good fortune and longevity and fidelity.  The Japanese refer to the crane as the “bird of happiness”.  The wings of the crane were believed to carry souls up to paradise. All the cranes illustrated are the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), also called the Manchurian crane or Japanese crane ( 丹頂鶴 ).

The neck and the base of the vase is decorated with flying cranes amongst cloud scrolls. The inside of the neck is decorated with Chrysanthemum flower scrolls. It is decorated in the Aode Kutani style, predominantly green, yellow, blue,and pink enamels, along with black, white and red enamel. The base is unmarked, the footring has been wiped clean and free of glaze.

The vase is approximately 17 3/4 inches (45 cm) high, 9 1/2 inches (24cm) diameter at the widest and the base is 6 1/8 inches (15.5 cm) diameter. It weighs 4.09kg unpacked.

Free UK postage, international postage at cost. Indicative prices for shipping are given but, these may vary significantly due to surcharges that are dependant upon your location. Please message for a firm price for international shipping to your location. It will be shipped is a box 46 x 46 x 61cm, and will weigh approximately 10 kg packed.

It is in excellent antique condition, no chips cracks nor restoration. Some very minor wear to the gilding particularly around the top rim. Please see the images. 

This is a highly collectable and decorative item and great for display on it's own or as part of a collection antique Japanese porcelain or Kutani-yaki.

Layaway / Payment Plans

We are very flexible with regards to splitting up payments on goods and are happy to organize layaway deals and payment plans. We can negotiate the terms of the plan and split it up over a number of monthly payments to suit you. We understand buying these sort of goods can be costly and this can be an easier way to pay. Unlike other sellers, we do not charge our customers holding fees or any other costs for organising payment plans. Please contact us for more information.