花瓶 - 瓷 - 日本 - Meiji period (1868-1912) - Watahei Ko-Kutani 花瓶

exceptional and rare matching pair (pendant) of polychrome porcelain vases from the Japanese Meiji period. These vases immediately stand out due to their highly unusual shape: the slender, egg-shaped body tapers spectacularly at the base and rests on a heavy, massive, and wide-flaring pedestal base (aptly called an ‘elephant’s foot base’ in the antique world).

The vases are masterfully hand-painted with refined cartouches depicting elegant bijin (beautiful ladies), playing children, and architectural landscapes in a traditional Japanese garden. The frames are richly decorated in the classic Kutani palette of iron red (akae) and lush, hand-hewn gold details. On the underside, both vases are hand-signed in red with the recognizable mark:

九谷造 (Kutani zō – Made in Kutani)
綿平製 (Watahei sei – Made by Watahei)

About the maker: Watahei was the prestigious trade and studio mark of Watatani Heibei, who decorated and exported high-quality Kutani porcelain from Yokohama starting in 1882 for the demanding Western market. Vases with this specific, architectural column base were produced in very limited editions at the time and are considerably rarer today than standard baluster vases. Specifications:

Quantity: Set of 2 (perfectly matching pair)

Origin: Japan (Kutani, Ishikawa / Yokohama export)

Period: Meiji period - ca. 1890
Height: 33 cm per vase
Diameter: 17 cm
Weight: Feels substantial and heavy due to the solid pedestal base (2 vases total 4820 g)

Condition: In excellent antique condition. Both vases are completely intact: absolutely no chips, no hairline cracks, no fissures, and no form of restoration whatsoever. There is only the normal and light wear to the gold on the outer edges, typical for its age, but the central painting is still beautifully clear and razor-sharp. An absolute eye-catcher for the serious collector of Asian art.

Your item will be carefully packaged and shipped with full track and trace for your peace of mind; local pickup is also warmly welcomed in Ekeren (Antwerp), Belgium.