Kurata zō (蔵多造) - Yokohama Kutani - Dish - Große Prunk-Suppenterrine - Kutani porcelain - "Trip to the Temple Exhibition"

Extremely fine and museum-quality antique porcelain soup tureen with a perfectly fitting lid from the Meiji period (~1850–1900).

This exquisite centerpiece is distinguished by a historically significant two-part origin: The fine hard-p porcelain blank was formed in the Kaga Province in the famous Kutani kilns and bisque-fired before the painting was executed entirely by hand in the highly specialized export workshop of the master Kurata in Yokohama.

The outer walls of the bowl and lid are decorated with masterful, detailed cartouches depicting geishas (Bijin) and young serving maids (Kamuro) on a traditional excursion to a temple complex, wearing magnificent, multi-layered kimonos. In the background, the sacred Mt. Fuji-san rises behind bands of clouds, flanked by a wooden torii gate. The scenes are framed by dense, rich gold brocade (Kinrande) on fine iron-red. The sculptural handles in the Western Neo-Baroque style (scroll/clam-shell grips) are adorned with high-karat gloss gold.

An absolute highlight and rare quality feature is the elaborate interior decoration: both the bottom of the bowl and the inside of the lid surprise with delicate, finely color-tinted ideal landscapes and traditional, thatched-roof village structures (Minka).

On the underside of the stand is the red handwritten signature:
"Yokohama Kutani Kurata zō" (横濱 九谷 蔵多 造).

Since the entire export quarter in Yokohama was completely destroyed by massive fires during the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923, surviving pieces from this specific workshop are today rare and sought-after timepieces.

Excellent, undamaged antique condition. The porcelain shard is completely intact. No chips, no hairline cracks, and no retrofits or post-gilding (honest original state). Only a minimal, completely natural and age-appropriate wear of the gloss gold is present at the most exposed parts of the handles and the lid knop, which underlines the authentic patina.

Provenance: in our old, well-kept German private collection since 1999
Manufacturer / Brand: "Yokohama Kutani Kurata zō" (横濱 九谷 蔵多 造)
Model / Name: "A Trip to the Temple Show"
Kutani-Shoza style / Yokohama export style
High-quality, translucent hard porcelain (feldspathic porcelain), overglaze pigments, gold brocade painting (Kinrande) in gloss gold (22–24 karat)
Height 190 mm, Width 305 mm, Depth 190 mm
Weight 1,757 grams
Meiji period, ~1850–1900
Japan, Kutani (Kaga Province), refined in Yokohama

No shipping to the USA!

The porcelain is packed very carefully and shipped with insurance up to €500 and tracking.

Combined shipping also for different auctions:
If you win multiple items from my auctions within 2 days, I am happy to package them in a single shipment to save shipping costs for you. Please contact me directly after the first win and hold payment for the other items. I will then manually adjust the shipping costs for the subsequent, unpaid lots.