Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th century, porcelain hand painted with colors and gilt, signed to underside in iron red script indicating this pair was made at the Watano Kijichi kilns and painted by the artist Tanabe Keisen, the meticulous decoration on the vases features two golden peacocks surrounded by lush peony blossoms, cherry blossoms, and elegant hanging wisteria, gilt and iron red shaped bands of decoration encircled the upper and body and foot, the vases come together with carved wooden bases.

22 1/4 in.

Private Collection, Morrisville, North Carolina

Watano Kijichi established his kilns in the 1880s attempting to unite the Kutani ceramic industry to uphold standards and make exceptional export products. He invited artists to come and train and paint the ceramics, including Tanabe Keisen. The porcelains produced were typically grand in size a wonderful canvas for the skillful artists and making them desired export products for the West.

Some restoration and touch up to bottom foot rim and underside of one vase; an old paper label to same underside; the other vase has some clear finish that can be removed over a small area of foot rim.

$1,000 - 2,000