Japanese Koransha Fukagawa Porcelain Dragon in Cloud Vase Antique Meiji 1880

An exquisite antique Japanese Fukagawa Koransha (Scented Orchid Company) porcelain bottle vase with dimpled or indented sides. It is beautifully hand painted in dark grey, blacks (en grisaille) and gilded with a Japanese four clawed dragon in swirling clouds or fog above a very turbulent sea. This beautiful vase is marked on the base with an under-glaze blue orchid mark, it dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) circa 1880. 

The rim has an iron red and gilded geometric shield type border. The foot rim has a band of gilded wave scrolls.

Eizaemon Fukagawa started the Fukagawa company in 1875 he used the flowering orchid mark as his trademark (Koransha : The Scented Orchid Company) and after his death in 1889, his oldest son, Yotaro took over the company.

Fukagawa ware was and still is made in the area around the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province,  now Saga Prefecture, of Northwestern Kyūshū island of Japan. 

The vase is approximately 4 1/4 inches ( 10.8 cm) diameter,  7 1/4 inches ( 18.3 cm) high. It  weighs a total of 348 grammes unpacked.

It is in excellent antique condition, no damage, some very minor wear to the gilding at the rim.  Please see the images. 

This is a highly collectable and very decorative item and great for display on its own or as part of a collection antique Japanese porcelain or Hizen ware, 肥前焼, Hizen-yaki from a distinguished and highly collected factory.

Free UK and international postage with this item.

References:

Similarly decorated and indented see

Bonhams Edinburgh - Asian Art and European Ceramics and Glass 3 May 2007, LOT 20 sold £840