[Free Shipping] Hagi Ware Sculptural Bottle Vase - Bronze Glaze with Carved Relief and Multi-Color - Ceramic - 大和努 Yamato Tsutomu - Japan - 1900-2000

Item Description:

This is an exceptional Japanese Hagi ware bottle vase (hanaire) by Yamato Tsutomu, featuring a striking combination of sculptural relief decoration, multi-colored glazes, and metallic bronze finish.

The piece represents a sophisticated artistic expression that merges traditional Hagi pottery techniques with contemporary sculptural sensibility, showcasing the artist's technical mastery and innovative approach to ceramic art.

This elegant vase comes with its original wooden box (tomobako) inscribed by the artist.

The vase displays an elegant bottle shape with a tall, narrow cylindrical neck rising dramatically from a rounded shoulder.

The most captivating feature is the upper portion finished in a lustrous metallic bronze-gold glaze that creates a warm, sophisticated surface.

Below this metallic zone, the body transitions into a stunning display of layered colored glazes in soft pink and pale blue-green tones that blend and flow organically across the surface, creating a watercolor-like effect reminiscent of dawn sky or delicate spring blossoms.

The shoulder and upper body are adorned with bold three-dimensional carved decoration featuring deep vertical grooves and ridges that create a dramatic play of light and shadow.

This sculptural surface treatment (shinogi technique) demonstrates exceptional technical skill, with each ridge carefully carved to create a rhythmic, wave-like pattern that encircles the form.

The raised ridges catch the light beautifully, enhancing the dimensional quality of the piece and adding tactile interest.

The combination of the metallic bronze neck, pastel-colored body with flowing glazes, and bold carved relief decoration creates a harmonious yet dynamic composition that balances traditional Hagi aesthetic principles with contemporary artistic expression.

The narrow neck and small opening make this piece ideal for displaying single stems or minimalist ikebana arrangements, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of refined simplicity and understated elegance.

The base reveals an artist's seal mark, confirming this as an authentic work by Yamato Tsutomu.

The piece exemplifies the artist's ability to honor Hagi pottery traditions while exploring innovative combinations of form, surface treatment, and glaze techniques that expand the boundaries of this celebrated ceramic style.


Size
Height: 30 cm
Width: 12 cm
Depth: 12 cm
Weight: 1,837 g


Condition
The vase shows characteristics consistent with studio pottery. The piece displays exceptional craftsmanship with sculptural carved decoration and multi-layered glaze application. Please refer to the photographs for detailed condition assessment.


Artist Profile
Yamato Tsutomu is a Hagi ware ceramic artist who works within the esteemed tradition of Hagi pottery, one of Japan's most revered ceramic styles. As a member of the Yamato family, he continues a distinguished lineage of Hagi potters that spans multiple generations in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The Yamato family's involvement in Hagi pottery dates back to the Meiji period, when Yamato Sakutaro (known by his artistic name Matsumidori) established kilns after serving as a master craftsman at the Tokoji kiln, the official kiln of the Mori clan (Choshu domain). Following the Meiji Restoration, Sakutaro was invited to Yamaguchi City where he established the Matsumidori kiln, laying the foundation for generations of Yamato potters.
Yamato Tsutomu's work exemplifies both respect for tradition and innovative exploration. This piece demonstrates the artist's mastery of multiple techniques including sculptural carving, metallic glaze application, and layered colored glazes. His pieces demonstrate a deep understanding of traditional Hagi aesthetics while pushing the boundaries of what Hagi pottery can express, maintaining the handcrafted quality valued by collectors and tea ceremony practitioners.
Hagi ware has been celebrated for centuries as one of Japan's premier ceramic traditions, particularly favored in tea ceremony culture. The Yamato family's continued dedication to this tradition ensures that the refined techniques and aesthetic principles of Hagi pottery are preserved while allowing for contemporary artistic expression.


NOITICE:

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.
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