Japanese Dark Green Ceramic Oribe Ware Hibachi, 1930s

A glazed ceramic vessel by Japanese potter Ryoji Koie (1938-2020). Hand-built with intention to be seen as such, the tsubo has a primordial irregular form with a small opening and a swelled body resembling a beehive. The upper body was covered in a glassy green oribe glaze with fine crackles, highlighted with three incised geometrical symbols. The lower body is unglazed and exposed the white clay with marks of the hand-making pinches and kneading along the base. The base also shows highly irregular surface due to the seashell spur marks and clay pitting in the kiln during the firing process. All these occurrences honestly preserved and presented as part of the character of this wonderful modern piece. The jar comes with a plain wooden tomobako box. "One of Japan’s most versatile and forward-thinking contemporary artists, KOIE RYOJI...

A large ceramic lidded vessel with striking sculptural form by contemporary Japanese potter Shigemasa Higashida (1955-). Hand-built and with drasti...

The long neck bottle of classic form was heavily potted with coarse clay with high iron content. The flask, circa 18th century Edo period, was purposed for sake storage but also substituted as a flower vase during tea ceremony. The surface is covered in glossy black glaze and contrasts strikingly with white ash glaze around the shoulder. The white, fired with straw, displays a splashing feather effect and fine crackles, blending in with the black artistically. This type of Karatsu ware...

A tall vintage ceramic vase with handle from Japan (20th century) by Nanba Koyo. Made in the tradition of Bizen ware, the vase has a modern aesthetic with a...

A Japanese Kutsu-gata (clog-shaped) chawan (tea bowl) circa 19th century possibly older. The stoneware bowl potted from buff clay has a slight irregular shape and an unusual depth for a tea bowl. Of Mino ware...

An splendid and rare, irregularly shaped ceramic chair of life-size in the bold and expressive Oribe-style by the renowned ceramist Suzuki Gorô (born 1941)...

apanese Oribe style ceramic Abura-zara, an oil plate used to catch the drippings from a suspended oil dish in a lantern, simple flat circular form with slightly raised beaded edge an...

A contemporary studio ceramic tea pot with metal handle made by Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki (1950-). The stoneware tea pot showcases a thick dripping Oribe green glaze partially revealing the unglazed part of the body, which is decorated with scrolling pattern of ash glaze. The work is rooted in both Yohen Shino glaze technique and Oribe tradition, but interestingly it also paid homage to Sancai pottery...

A contemporary studio ceramic vase made by Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki (1950-). The vase showcases distinguished "moon flask" form with shoulder loops. The moon flask form was widely recorded first in Tang Dynasty China, most likely arrived from the Mideast countries via the silk road. It was originally used as drink vessel for the nomads and the loops were used to tie it to the horse-centered owner. The exotic form persisted in Chinese ceramic production through Ming to Qing dynasty. The form is unusual in Ken Matsuzaki's work. The artist covered the vase with a thick dripping Oribe green glaze partially revealing the unglazed part of the body, which is decorated with scrolling pattern in left by ash glaze. The work is rooted in both Yohen Shino glaze technique and Oribe tradition, but interestingly it also paid homage to Sancai pottery in Tang Dynasty when green glaze was prominently used to drip and splash onto the pottery. Viewing the vase, one can see in this harmonious piece, the innovative reinterpretation of ancient aesthetics that cross the cultures, geology and time. The base is marked with the artist's signature. The vase comes with an inscribed tomobako storage box with the artist's bio and wrapping cloth with seal. The vase measures 8.6"h x 7"w x 2"d. Ken Matsuzaki’s haptic ceramics bring a contemporary approach to traditional Japanese ceramicware, most notably 16th-century Oribe pottery...

A fantastic, wonderfully glaze stoneware Banko ware vase with beautifully detailed craftsmanship. Banko ware pottery is thought to have originate...