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Two oriental bowls have surfaced as part of my grand clear out of my father in laws house. Being a bit curious I'm trying to research something about their origin. Could anyone help with these markings? Also a photo of one of the bowls...

Japanese Kutani bowls,look well painted,sorry not sure about the date.

Hello Richard,

Agree with Keith. These are Kutani pieces. Beside "Kutani" the marks reads "Kaga" . Kaga was (a part of) the area what was later called "Kutani" . I think it dates from late Meiji/ early Taisho period.

Regards,

Arjan

Hi Arjan,
Kaga is a name of the region or province under the feudal system in the Edo period controlled by Maeda clan, which included Daishoji-han,Maeda branch. So-called Kutani was believed to have its original kiln at Kutani village in the mountain in the Kaga province. So, a term, "Kutani" is being used to name the products of this Kaga region.
To make it simple, Kaga is a name of area, Kutani is a product name.

The mark,painted on the bowl, Kaga Kutani, sujests, Kutani porcelain from Kaga kilns 1890-1920 during the late Meiji -Taisho period.
Best Regards,
Emiko

The top mark says 'Kaga, Kutani', and the other says 'Kaga, Made in Kutani'. Kaga is the former province where Kutani was located. Kutani is now part of Ishikawa Prefecture. The change apparently occurred in the 19th century, but I've been unable to find reference to the exact date, which seemingly would bear on the age of these markings. Perhaps you'll have better luck.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hi Bill,

From what I know/read it was 1871 when the Kaga Han and Daishoji Han merged to Kutani.

Regards,

Arjan

Hi Arjan,

I'm much obliged for the added information.

Thanks,

Bill H.

question: why is the painting so exquisite but the mark so slapdash looking?

I was wondering the same, I suppose they got the more junior people to add the mark! Here's a picture of the other bowl (the one which corresponds to the lower of the two mark pictures), both are beautifully detailed inside and out. Does anyone have any idea how much they're worth?

The one mark with scalloped edges resembles in its postage stamp form some marks that were used by the A A Vantine Company, which American firm was a principal importer of Chinese and Japanese decorative ceramics into the USA in the early 20th century. This makes me wonder whether the slapdash marks weren't written so well because they were intended to be covered up by paper labels in English for export.

Just a thought.

Bill H.

Hi Emiko and all,

Even after the comment of Bill H. I didn't noticed my mistake. After Emiko's post I noticed I wrote "Kaga Han and Daishoji Han merged to Kutani" where I ment "merged to Ishikawa".
Thanks for correcting.

Regards,

Arjan

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