Japanese Antique Meiji Double Gourd Vase Kutani Red Gold Enameled Picking Tea

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Japanese Antique Meiji Double Gourd Vase Kutani Red Gold Enameled Picking Tea:
$160.00

Stunning example of Japanese porcelain from the late1800s. The classic double gourd shapecombines a natural object with a refined aesthetic that produces a piece thatis both organic and elegant in form. Thepiece is beautifully decorated in delicate enamels with a scene of women intraditional dress on the shore of a lake, which is depicted with a wash of hazyblue in the background. I believe that thewomen are gathering tea, filling the baskets they carry with the beautifullyscented buds. The details of both scenes are accented with touches of gold,even the bushes are textured with gleaming flecks, the women are literallypicking gold. I have seen images and vintagephotos of picking tea, and the process seems little changed (see last image fora vintage photo of women equipped for this task). The top section of the gourd is painted witha detailed scene filled with flowers and flitting birds that is bursting withlife and energy. These two scenic panelsare framed with deep red, lacy edged ground that is covered with stylizedfloral patterns in gold, giving the impression of richly embroideredbrocade. The contrast between the highlydetailed scenes of life and the highly ornamented, patterned decoration createsa dynamic energy that almost explodes from the surface of the elegantform.

This is signed on the bottom in iron red. The piece measures approximately 12” inheight and 4 ½” in diameter at the widest point. This is in excellent condition consideringits age. The most significant damage isa chip on the lid, this is on the underside of the lip and is only slightlyvisible on the edge when the lid is in place.There is scattered surface crazing in the glaze and wear to thedecoration, particularly in the gold. Thereis shelf wear and darkening on the bottom of the foot ring.

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