Japanese Kutani Porcelain Bowl on stand in Aoki Mokubei Style Meiji Era circa 1900 Ho Ho Birds Auspicious items and kamon of Shippoubishi Hanabishi

A beautifully hand painted, highly decorative and collectable antique Japanese Kutani export porcelain bowl on a short decorative carved hard wood stand. The bowl is decorated in the early 19th century Ko Kutani style of Aoki Mokubei, (青木木米) who was famous for his interpretations of Chinese porcelain. (ref 1)

This bowl dates from the late 19th to early 20th century circa 1900 during the late Meiji era. The bowl is of a short flared trumpet rimmed form some collectors may refer to it as a Marukoudaidon (丸高台丼), although we believe that it is more of an okimono. It has an all over hand painted enamel pattern around the body and internal faces of the bowl.

The inside has an under-glaze blue diamond diaper border with three equally spaced under-glaze blue medallions or cash, decorated with gilding and iron red enamels, that we believe are a Japanese kamon or family crest, probably that of Shippoubishi Hanabishi. (ref 2).

There is a intense iron red ground colour that has been reserved around three gilded and enameled Japanese legendary birds known as Japanese Phoenix, Fèng Huáng, Feng Huang, 鳳凰 Hō-ō, Ho-o, or Ho ho birds. The bird is said to bring luck, symbolising good fortune; specifically longevity, fidelity and wisdom. It is often portrayed as an amalgam of several birds, including the phoenix, pheasant, stork, heron and bird of paradise. There is an iron red diamond diaper border superimposed with turquoise enamel Lingzhi fungus and interspersed with stylised floral cartouches in alternate gilding and turquoise enamel. 

The centre has under-glaze blue artemisia leaves and fans surrounded by cloud scrolls and an outer border of stylised lotus petals.

The outer face of the bowl is also decorated with and underglaze blue scrolling artemisia leaf pattern with the same intense iron red ground reserved in areas for auspicious Chinese objects including umbrellas or parasols double gourds, fans or artemisia leaf, cloud scrolls and flaming pearls in peach, green and iron red enamels with and gilding.

The base of the bowl has a neat and clearly marked iron red and gilded seal type mark fuku 福 which symbolises 'happiness longevity and wealth' often seen on works of Kutani particularly on earlier Edo period works. It comes on a carved hardwood stand that is possibly a replacement as it is slightly larger than the footrim.

It is in very good antique condition. Some scratching or marking to the enamel in places and some wear to the gilding. There is a star crack to the base but there are no chips nor restoration. The wooden stand has had two legs repaired. Please see the images.

This is a highly collectable and very decorative item and great for display on its own as a statement piece or as part of a collection antique Japanese, Oriental porcelain or Kutani-yaki or Mokubei style.

Free UK postage when purchased at the listed price, International shipping at cost.

Rim Diameter 7 7/8 inches ( 20 cm)
Height 3 1/2 inches ( 9 cm) 
Height on stand 6 1/4 inches ( 16 cm)
Total Weight 659 grammes unpacked 

References

1. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O18961/tiered-food-box-mokubei-aoki/

2. doyouknowjapan.satcom/symbols/ - Japanese family crests - Kamon