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Subject:Help Identifying Origin of Vase, Sumida?
Posted By: Cathy Sun, Oct 13, 2019 IP: 88.152.80.105

Any help to identify the origin and the age of this vase would be very much appreciated.
It comes from the heritage of an European antique collector and since my knowledge of asian art is very small I was trying to find out the origin by searching the web.
I stumbled over pictures of Sumida vases, which look a bit similar.
But the figures of this vase are shaped much more fine and more detailed. And the costumes and hairstyles look different.
The vase itself looks like pottery, the figures seam to be made of porcelain.
The hight is 29cm and the diameter of the stand is 6,5cm.
Can anybody help with spotting the origin and the age of this vase? I would really appreciate any hint.







Subject:Re: Help Identifying Origin of Vase, Sumida?
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Oct 14, 2019

According to the book "Sumida According to Us" by Herbert Karp and Gardner Pond, this double-gourd mark was used by Sumida artisan Ishiguro Koko. Karp & Pond indicate that red paint aged with burnt umber was used on the body of these vases between 1890 & 1941, with redness in the bodies depending thereafter on the amount of iron in the clay. Since the bisque-like body on your vase seems to be unpainted, I would estimate the piece was made circa the second quarter of the 20th century. See the photo below of a Sumida pitcher & mug set. The pitcher and a couple of mugs appear from the flaking to have been painted, while the other mugs look to be bisque. However, more seasoned collectors of Sumida ware in the forum may see it differently.

Best regards,

Bill H.



Subject:Re: Help Identifying Origin of Vase, Sumida?
Posted By: Cathy Tue, Oct 15, 2019

Dear Bill H.,

thank you very much for the informations about Ishiguro Koko pottery and for posting the picture of the pitcher and the mugs.
I really appreciate your help.

After comparing the items on your picture and others I found on the web I still wonder about the material of the figures on the vase.
Like you pointed out the vase seems to be made of bisque, but the small figures seem to be of a different material. One small hand of the upper figure is missing and the cut looks pure white and sharp, just like porcelain.
I am thinking about having the item restored and I was wondering if a "porcelain clinic" would be the right place to address to.
And of course it´s just a question if the costs of a restoration is adaquate to the real value of the vase.

Thanks again for your reply and your help.
Kind regards,
Cathy

Subject:Re: Help Identifying Origin of Vase, Sumida?
Posted By: Martin Michels Mon, Oct 14, 2019

The mark reads: 香二 (from left to right).
It's a mark of Koko Ishiguro, a quality Sumida potter.
Actually, the translation of these characters is "Ko" 香 and Ni 二. The last can be considered as an iteration mark, so Ko twice = Koko. A practical joke by the artist. He also wrote his name as 香子 (Koko): 2 different Ko characters or as 香香 (Koko): twice the same character.
Date: somewhere between 1890-1920.

This name is sometimes translated as Koji.
But often translated as Ban-ni, because the Gotheborg website uses that name for these 2 characters, being totally unknown how these characters should be interpreted.
It's a pity that many think that Gotheorg website is the bible for Japanese marks, which it is not. For Chinese marks, perhaps. But as far as Japanese marks are concerned, that site is simply wrong here and there. And those mistakes are being copied and copied, creating their own truth.

Regards,
Martin.



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Subject:Re: Help Identifying Origin of Vase, Sumida?
Posted By: Cathy Tue, Oct 15, 2019

Dear Martin,

thank you very much for your reply and the explanations about the artist Koko Ishiguro and the mark on this vase.
Your help is really appreciated.

I assumed already that this vase was made by quality potter, because it seems to be something special.
I was reading that Sumida pottery was mainly exported to America and I am still wondering how this vase found its way to the middle of Europe...

Thanks again for your reply and your help.
Kind regards,
Cathy


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