Japanese Antique Kaga Wantano Sei

 

Pristine Japanese Antique Kaga Wantano Sei, Porcelain Covered Dish
This lovely covered dish Kaga Wantano Sei, which predated the use of the Kutani name, and just at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912) It is hand made, a quality piece of very detailed hand painted Japanese Kaga porcelain.   A family of pheasants, cranes maybe and other types are painted on top with black outlines. I am still trying to understand the two characters in the middle. It looks like a bird playing the flute to some type of animal. They are surrounded with flowers and foliage; as well as the same and tress around the sides. Even further they are delicately painted on both of the insides with flowers foliage and sparrows, an extensive amount of hand work and painting, and very beautiful. it has gold gilt on the insides and handles and finial. A very nice finial of a pine cone tops it set in a large red and gold maple leaf.. It is fine piece to use for any time, but a perfect serving piece for the fall and holidays. There is no visible crazing. There are no visible cracks or chips. It is in very good condition. .This is an absolutely gorgeous piece.   SIZE: Diameter 8 1/2" or 21.59 cms, Height bowl 3 1/2 or 8.89 cms
History, Kaga which later became Kutani Thanks to the help of a friend,we have now learned this reads Kaga Wantano Sei, which predated the use of the Kutani name, and just at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912). From Georges at the Kutani Ceramic Site regarding similar signatures: "ll these signatures bear the Kaga no Kuni mark. It means that these ceramics were produced in Kaga Han (today Kanazawa). Kaga Han and Daishoji Han merged in 1871 to give Ishikawa prefecture. However at this period the name Kaga was widely used in Japan and also overseas to designate more generally the ceramic produced in the area. The name Kaga was later replaced by Kutani". Then, according to Jan Nielssen at Gotheborg's they later became: Kutani Watano Sei - Watano Trading Company (Remember this piece is called KAGA, not Kutani). This company lasted for 3 generations and used different kanji characters for the no in Watano depending on the generation. Watano was very famous during Meiji period (1868-1912) with export offices in the port towns of Kobe and Yokohama.
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