Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The magnificence of Japanese Art, brought to you by {name}

Marion Oliviero

Karatsu Ware Zodiac Incense Container “Snake” – by 13th Nakazato Tarouemon | Japanese Tea Ceremony Kogo with Signed Tomobako

⸻

This is an exquisite Karatsu-yaki incense container (Kogo) depicting the Year of the Snake (巳), created by the esteemed 13th-generation Nakazato Tarouemon (中里太郎右衛門), one of Japan’s most respected potters from a lineage of Karatsu masters.


Crafted in the traditional E-Karatsu style, this incense box displays a delicately hand-painted snake motif using iron oxide under a translucent glaze, producing subtle tonal variations and a rustic elegance unique to Karatsu ceramics.

⸻


	•	Artist: 13th Nakazato Tarouemon (1923–2009)
	•	Title Held: Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder (Living National Treasure), designated in 1997
	•	Studio: Nakazato Kiln (Karatsu, Saga Prefecture)
	•	Work Period: This piece was likely made in a Zodiac Year of the Snake, such as 1997 or 2009.

⸻


	•	Hand-formed and hand-painted Karatsu ware (Karatsu-yaki)
	•	E-Karatsu iron-oxide brush design representing the Snake (巳)
	•	Complete with original signed wooden storage box (Tomobako) and artist’s seal on the base
	•	Traditional incense container (Kogo), also suitable for tea ceremony display or collectors of Japanese zodiac-themed art
	•	Rare collectible work by a recognized Japanese master potter


	•	Excellent condition – no chips, cracks, or restorations
	•	Comes with original box (Tomobako) bearing the artist’s inscription and seal
	•	Carefully preserved; ready for display or ceremonial use


1970-1980 - Japan -  

Tea service - Ceramic - national treasure

Prints & Multiples

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Budget

From

Closing date

Sunday

Saturday

26 May

tomorrow

Thursday

Friday

25 May

Wednesday

27 May

Location

France

Italy

Germany

Spain

The Netherlands

Belgium

Austria

Switzerland

Hungary

Sweden

Portugal

Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Japan

Poland

Denmark

Estonia

Greece

Israel

Lithuania

Romania

Size

M (40–80 cm)

S (under 40 cm)

L (80–120 cm)

XL (120–160 cm)

XXL (over 160 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Brand

Rosenthal

Object

Print

Lithograph

Sculpture

Painting

Artwork

Drawing

Relief

Block carving

Giclée

Photograph

Poster

Poster design

Figure

Woodblock print

Candelabrum

Mixed media artwork

Book

Country of origin

Netherlands

United States

Unknown

China

India

Russia

Europe

Australia

Chile

Croatia

British Virgin Islands

Material

Bronze

Patinated bronze

Metal

Paper

Silver

Resin

Gold plated

Ceramic

Aluminium

Wood

Steel

Marble

Gilt bronze

.925 silver

Silver plated brass

Silverplated

Copper

Enamel

Porcelain

Iron

Glass

Cast iron

Condition

Excellent condition

Good condition

Fair condition

Extremely fine

A (excellent - mint condition)

Needs restoration

Very good

As new - unused

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Period

1970-1980

1980-1990

1960-1970

1990-2000

2000-2010

2020+

2010-2020

1950-1960

19th century

1920-1930

17th century

1940-1950

1910-1920

18th century

1900-1910

1930-1940

16th century

2020s

Subject

Portrait

Pop Culture

Landscape

Mythology

Animals

Nude

Architecture

Religion

Still life

Historical scene

Nature

Seascape

Interior scene

Cityscape

Plants and flowers

Summer scene

Day scene

Fine art photography

Military

Night scene

Famous landmarks

Autumn scene

Female figures

Style

Contemporary

Surrealism

Abstract

Modern

Pop Art

Expressionism

Post-Impressionism

Realism

Art Nouveau

Impressionism

Cobra

Classical

Cubism

Minimalism

Op Art

Baroque

Abstract Expressionism

Metaphysical Art

Conceptual art

Renaissance

Romanticism

Street art

Folk Art

Fauvism

Prints & Multiples

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Tea service - Ceramic - national treasure

Popular in Prints & Multiples

1261 objects

Related collections