Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

My late Grandmother left these to my mother, their origin unknown, and whilst she was a live and vibrant, she insisted that they were of value. I'd love to learn more about them as she seemed to have an affinity with asian artifacts.

Japanese, the top photo marked "made by Nishida" (a surname). not too old, others know more.

I believe your pair of Satsuma-style stoneware vases are marked 'Nishida Zo' (any doubt pends on the fact that the characters for the name can be transcribed as 'Saida' as well). I spotted this signature among Satsuma artisans on one list but it was untranslated and without additional information.

The blue palette, style of the birds, black base-mark and even the type of stoneware are all shared characteristics with the late Meiji-era (1868-1912) painted pottery produced and signed by the well-known Taizan studio in Kyoto.

Generations of the Taizan family had been producing ceramics since the 17th century but apparently had fallen on hard times by the late 19th century and been forced to cut back production. This moves me to speculate that your vases might have been decorated around that period by an artisan who had previously worked for Taizan, or at least one who admired the Taizan style.

I've attached a hasty photo of a circa late 19th century Taizan teapot for comparison of the motifs.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |