Lot 332*
A ko-Seto ovoid vase Late Kamakura Period
10 November 2011, 13:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£10,000 - £12,000
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A ko-Seto ovoid vase
Late Kamakura Period
Of elegantly-shaped meiping form, with a gradual outward curve on the shoulder, with short-knopped neck, incised beneath the greenish-yellow glaze with a stamped decoration of exotic foliage; with wood storage box. 26cm (10¼in) high. (2).
Of elegantly-shaped meiping form, with a gradual outward curve on the shoulder, with short-knopped neck, incised beneath the greenish-yellow glaze with a stamped decoration of exotic foliage; with wood storage box. 26cm (10¼in) high. (2).
Footnotes
古瀬戸 灰釉草葉文瓶子 鎌倉時代後期
Provenance: formerly in the private collection of Hoshino Soichiro.
Published and illustrated: Jidaibetsu Koseto Meihin Zuroku (a catalogue of Ko-Seto masterpieces of different periods), vol.6, Hikari Bijutsu Kogei Ltd., Tokyo, 1979, p.56, pl.44.
According to traditional sources, the Seto Kiln was founded by one man, Kato Kagemasa, who travelled to China in 1223 and learned the Chinese way of producing ceramics. Upon returning to Japan and the Seto area, he set up production there. There is no historical evidence that Kato Kagemasa existed but it would appear to be without a doubt that Chinese and Korean ceramics played a large role in the early history of the kiln, as many of the first products were imitations of foreign luxury objects. This vase was certainly made in the imitation of a Chinese vase - the thick wood-ash glaze over the stoneware gives the impression of a celadon porcelain vase.
This type of vase was probably used for storing liquids for both religious and non-religious ceremonies. The pronounced midriff on the neck allowed ropes and stiff paper to be tied to the top for a close seal over the plug.
