Near Pair of Antique Japanese Arita Export Ceramic Jars

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A near pair Hizen pottery jars from Artia Japan, circa mid-19th century of the Meiji Era. Heavy stoneware construction with … Read more A near pair Hizen pottery jars from Artia Japan, circa mid-19th century of the Meiji Era. Heavy stoneware construction with overglaze enamels that was inspired by Chinese WuCai from Ming dynasty. The lovely patterns depicts flying phoenix over peonies, plum trees in blossom, and small windows of landscapes, all of which are classic auspicious designs found in Japanese and Chinese export porcelain, made for the western market. These export were shipped out of Imari port thus became known later in the west as Imari Ware.
These two jars are a near pair with slight differences in size and design (one jar does not have the scrolling pattern on the lower part near the base). They might be jars with the lids missing. On the base, they are both marked as "Zoshuntei Sanpo Zo", which means "made by Zoshun Pavailion (name of the shop) Sanpo (name of the potter)". This is an early company trademark, in use between 1842 to 1870. The owner was Hisatomi Yojibei Masatsune, one of the first potters in the area of Arita and Mikawachi who was granted an export permit by the Lord Nabeshima Naomasa (1814-1871) in 1842. This was also the first time it was allowed to put a signature on pieces exported from Arita, other than Fuku (Happiness) or various copies of Chinese reign marks. His business was succeeded by Masatsune's oldest son, Masayasu (1812-1878) and his younger brother, Yohei Masaoki (1832-1871) until Yohei's sudden death in the sea. See less