A large Japanese Sumidagawa jar with cover, Meiji period (1868-1912).
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Mark for Inoue Ryosai (1828-1899) / Inoue Ryosai II (1845-1905). The stout baluster jar profusely decorated with sixteen Rakans with attributes and a tiger, each high-relief figure applied to the partially glazed surface creating an exuberant, richly textured effect, all below the splash-glazed neck. The cover with a finial in the shape of a seated Rakan accompanied by a goat. Sealed Inoue Kyosai on one corner of the surface. Height 50 cm.
Literature
Karp and Pond, 2001, 'Sumida...according to us' p. 24, p. 63, p. 68.
More information
Inoue Ryosai II (1845-1905) was the apprentice of Inoue Ryosai (1828-1899), his father in law. Inoue Ryosai II won many awards and was a pioneer in modern Japanese ceramics. He traveled to Europe as a delegate representing Japan at the 1900 Paris Exhibition where he won a gold medal. Inoue Ryosai II had a son, Inoue Ryosai III (1888-1971) who also became a famous potter in Japan.