Lyre-Form Stoneware Vessel with Sgraffito - Stoneware - Japan - 1900-2000
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Selected by Marion Oliviero
Holds a master's in Chinese archaeology with extensive expertise in Japanese art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Lyre-Form Stoneware Vessel with Sgraffito: a 23 cm high Japanese stoneware sculpture in a 1900–2000 dynastic style, with an egg-shaped body and two arching arms, sgraffito plant motifs, pale ash-blue celadon glaze with crazing and iron-red unglazed edges, partially glazed interior, weighing 914 g and described as authentic/original.
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Description from the seller
Item Description
This is a remarkable and highly sculptural ceramic object crafted in the form of a traditional Japanese lyre (koto bridge / wagon string rest), representing a bold fusion of functional vessel and abstract sculptural form. The piece features a rounded, egg-shaped body rising into two gracefully arching arms connected by a horizontal crossbar — a silhouette that unmistakably evokes the ancient tuning bridge of a Japanese koto or a lyric instrument. The body is incised with fluid, plant-like sgraffito motifs — delicate branching lines reminiscent of bamboo grass or winter branches — carved through the glaze to reveal the warm terracotta clay beneath.
The glaze treatment is sophisticated and atmospheric: a milky, pale ash-blue celadon glaze covers the majority of the piece, exhibiting fine crazing throughout and characteristic kiln-fire variations ranging from soft white to blush pink and warm grey. The unglazed edges of the structural elements glow a rich iron-red, a natural result of high-temperature firing. The interior of the vessel is partially glazed, showing the hand-thrown wheel marks with great honesty. The bottom is left unglazed, revealing a finely trimmed foot ring and the texture of the stoneware clay body.
Though the artist remains unidentified, the confident, mature handling of form, glaze, and surface decoration strongly suggests this is the work of a skilled professional studio ceramicist. This is a one-of-a-kind object equally at home as an ikebana vessel, a collector's sculpture, or a centerpiece for any design-conscious interior.
Size
Height: 23 cm
Width: 12.5 cm
Depth: 12.5 cm
Weight
914 g
Condition
The piece is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs; minor glaze pinholes and crazing are entirely consistent with the firing process and should be considered natural characteristics of the work.
NOTICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Item Description
This is a remarkable and highly sculptural ceramic object crafted in the form of a traditional Japanese lyre (koto bridge / wagon string rest), representing a bold fusion of functional vessel and abstract sculptural form. The piece features a rounded, egg-shaped body rising into two gracefully arching arms connected by a horizontal crossbar — a silhouette that unmistakably evokes the ancient tuning bridge of a Japanese koto or a lyric instrument. The body is incised with fluid, plant-like sgraffito motifs — delicate branching lines reminiscent of bamboo grass or winter branches — carved through the glaze to reveal the warm terracotta clay beneath.
The glaze treatment is sophisticated and atmospheric: a milky, pale ash-blue celadon glaze covers the majority of the piece, exhibiting fine crazing throughout and characteristic kiln-fire variations ranging from soft white to blush pink and warm grey. The unglazed edges of the structural elements glow a rich iron-red, a natural result of high-temperature firing. The interior of the vessel is partially glazed, showing the hand-thrown wheel marks with great honesty. The bottom is left unglazed, revealing a finely trimmed foot ring and the texture of the stoneware clay body.
Though the artist remains unidentified, the confident, mature handling of form, glaze, and surface decoration strongly suggests this is the work of a skilled professional studio ceramicist. This is a one-of-a-kind object equally at home as an ikebana vessel, a collector's sculpture, or a centerpiece for any design-conscious interior.
Size
Height: 23 cm
Width: 12.5 cm
Depth: 12.5 cm
Weight
914 g
Condition
The piece is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs; minor glaze pinholes and crazing are entirely consistent with the firing process and should be considered natural characteristics of the work.
NOTICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
1900-2000
Country of Origin
Japan
Material
Stoneware
Height
23 cm
Width
12.5 cm
Title of artwork
Lyre-Form Stoneware Vessel with Sgraffito
Depth
12.5 cm
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
