Fine Japanese Ceramic Plate by Kinkozan for Yamanaka & Co.

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A fine Japanese ceramic satsuma plate made by Kinkozan and retailed by Yamanaka & Co. circa 1900-20s (late Meiji to … Read more A fine Japanese ceramic satsuma plate made by Kinkozan and retailed by Yamanaka & Co. circa 1900-20s (late Meiji to early Tasho Period). The cream-color glazed plate features a very fine decoration of a persimmon tree bearing fruits. The composition is poetic, stylized but also realistic, with a literati painter's quality, and was advantageously enhanced by the enamel colorings in incredible details. The mastership of the medium came through the piece. It is signed on the base in gilt kanji seal (Made by Kinkozan) and branded Yamanaka & Co in English. The plate was likely commissioned by the company from Kinkozan for its various galleries in US and Europe.
The Kinkozan family established their pottery business first in 1645 and by the end of 19th century, it had become the largest studio producer of Satsuma ware. By the 1850s, Kinkozan Sobei (Kinkozan IV; 1824-84) started to export the wares to the west, particularly to America, together with the Kyoto manufacturer Taizan VIII. This continued and expanded under the leadership of Kinkozan V (1868-1927) until his death in 1927 when the studio closed.
Established by Yamanaka Sadajiro (1866-1936), Yamanak & Co was a large art gallery business with branches in New York (1895), Boston (1899) and London (1900); an agent in Paris (1905), office in Beijing (1917) and branch in Chicago (1928). The company initially specialized in Japanese art before expanded into Chinese and other Far Eastern Art. An important art source for many collectors and museums in the early 20th century. The company went declined after 1930s and their oversea assets was finally liquidated during the Second World War. See less