Kutani Ware - Censer - Ceramic - Hexagonal Quince Kōro

Title: Japanese Kutani Ware Polychrome Quince (木瓜) Kōro (香炉) Incense Burner with Tomobako
Kiln: Kutani Ware (九谷焼)
Origin: Kutani, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Dimensions: H 7.8 × DIA 9 cm (3.1 × 3.5 in)
Weight: 224 g
Material: High-fired ceramic, polychrome & gold glaze
Box Dimensions: H 10.3 × W 10.5 × D 10.5 cm (4.1 × 4.1 × 4.1 in)
Period: Shōwa Period, c. 1970-1980

This is a fine polychrome and gold quince (木瓜 /boke) kōro (香炉) – a traditional Japanese tea ceremony incense burner – by a Kutani ware master artisan.

Kutani Ware (九谷焼): Japan's representative polychrome ceramic craft, with over 400 years of heritage. Celebrated for its vivid, rich colours and exquisite painted decoration, polychrome with gold is one of its classic categories. A major school of Japanese ceramic art.

This hexagonal kōro (香炉) stands on three feet, with a refined, elegant form. The body has a yellow ground with gold decoration, with six faces alternating between quince flower patterns and ice-crackle geometric designs. The quince (木瓜 /boke) flower is a classic Japanese auspicious motif, symbolising good fortune and elegance. The lid has a white ground with blue rim, with an openwork carved fire window at the top – finely crafted for smooth smoke flow. The entire piece is hand-painted with rich, saturated colours and fine, delicate brushwork, with gold accents adding splendour and elegance – a classic example of Kutani five-colour (五彩) style.

The base bears the artist's seal (mark to be confirmed). The original paulownia tomobako (共箱) lid is inscribed in ink with "Iroe Boke Kōro (色絵 木瓜 香炉)", with the artist's signature and vermilion seal on the inside of the lid. Complete with original storage cloth. The marks correspond to the base, with clear, reliable provenance.

Natural age oxidation and wear from use consistent with period. The glaze is intact. No hairlines, no chips, no restoration. Complete with original paulownia tomobako (共箱) and storage cloth. Overall good condition.

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