A GROUP OF CLOISONNÉ ON PORCELAIN

THE SECOND SIGNED TORAKUEN MOKU SA SEI, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A GROUP OF CLOISONNÉ ON PORCELAIN
THE SECOND SIGNED TORAKUEN MOKU SA SEI, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)
Each worked in gold and silver wire and cloisonné enamels on porcelain, the first a pair of bottle vases with birds among peonies on a lacquered ground simulating wood; the second a large bowl with birds among peony on a sabiji ground, the interior in underglaze blue with chrysanthemums and plum blossom; the third a teacup and saucer similarly decorated and a large vase similarly decorated with birds among plum blossom
21cm. high, 35cm., 10cm. and 14cm., and 50cm. high (6)

Lot Essay

The porcelain body of this piece is the work of Kato Mokuzaemon, third generation of the potter family in Seto. The second generation Munematsu had inherited the kiln from his father in 1841, and was noted for the manufacture of large objects, and particularly cylindrical porcelain umbrella stands for export. He retired in 1884 and took the name Mokubei with the art name 'Torakuen' [garden of enjoyment of ceramics]. His son Mokuzaemon (d. 1900) won prizes at Philadelphia in 1876, the third Paris exposition in 1876, and was given a 'Phoenix' prize at the third Japanese National Fair. He is recorded as having made blanks specially for cloisonné artists to decorate, so it may be assumed that while the inside of the bowl is painted under the glaze there is no decoration under the cloisonné work on the outside.

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