Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Visitors' Forum

Asian Art Forums - Reply Message
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:Help with B&W vase with signature on base
Posted By: David Sun, Jun 12, 2011 IP: 174.45.141.70
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could help with the age of this vase and translating the signature on the base. It is 6" tall and shows some kiln grit on the base.

-Dave







Subject:Re: Help with B&W vase with signature on base
Posted By: Bill H. Mon, Jun 13, 2011
It's difficult to say whether your bag-form vase is Japanese or Chinese, but I'm inclined to say the latter, based on the motif of irises and the off-center mark on the base. It looks fairly new to me and possibly to be a home or school kiln project, judging by its style of casual-looking potting.

I Googled the characters and got some hits on the Japanese name Ishimitsu, though I could not confirm a pottery connection. If I'm wrong about it being Japanese, then the two characters could form a Chinese name, Shi Guang, with Shi being the surname. Again no clear connection to ceramics.

Good luck,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Help with B&W vase with signature on base
Posted By: Bill H. Tue, Jun 14, 2011
I should quit the decaf for industrial-strength coffee! I meant of course 'inclined to say the former' not 'latter' in the first sentence of my initial comment. Bill H.

Subject:Re: Help with B&W vase with signature on base
Posted By: Cal Tue, Jun 14, 2011
Agree with Bill (he meant 'former' not 'latter'), is Japanese.

It was inspired by 'picture shino' ware but both underglaze-blue decoration and glaze itself are not the same as the old ones highly prized by tea masters.

Do internet search for book _Classic stoneware of Japan: Shino and Oribe_ on googlebooks, you can get an idea.

Are also a few other books in Japanese and/or English about old Shino wares.

I think your piece is quite recent studio pottery, not meant to be "reproduction" but meant to show the potter's familiarity with the old Shino ware tradition.

It was possibly meant to be a wine bottle, but might have served as a vase for entryway display in tea-serving setting for someone not able to have something ~really~ special in that place. But in the right hands it could serve as counterpoint; perhaps the owner might have actual old Shino or Oribe tea bowl. There was a lot of intellectual subtlety and what Westerners view as playfulness in the tea ceremony. Still is among a relative few.

Good luck,
Cal

Subject:Re: Help with B&W vase with signature on base
Posted By: -Dave Sun, Jun 19, 2011
Bill and Cal,
I appreciate your great information. I'll follow up and do a bit more research on that book you mentioned. Thanks again.

-Dave

Post a Reply
Name:
Email:
Group: China & Japan
Subject:
Message:
Link URL:
Enter here the complete URL of any site, page or image you would like to show other visitors.
URL Title:
Enter here the title of the link you've given above. This will appear to the visitor. Eg., if you are linking another picture, enter "Another picture". The link will not appear without a title.
Image URL:
Enter here the URL of an image if it is already uploaded on the web. The image will appear with your posting. Do not post pictures which are not yours without permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of each poster to make sure they have permission to use any photos they post.
Image: You may upload up to three images. If you would like to upload more images to this message please do so by replying to this same message.

Please make sure the file type is JPEG or GIF and the filename does not contain spaces.




Use the Browse button to find an image (jpg or gif) on a local drive on your computer to upload for including with your message. Do not upload images with file names containing spaces. Please do not upload files larger than 500 KB in size. Do not post pictures which are not yours without permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of each poster to make sure they have permission to use any photos they post. Check the "email notification" box below if you would like to be notified of any responses to your message.
Check here for email notification.
Security Code: Security Image: please enter the text appears in this image.

Please type in the code you see in the image directly above this input box.

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