A Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery Boat with Porcelain Frogs

Early 20th century, a pottery boat with a multitude of playful frogs climbing aboard towards a large lotus leaf that rests inside, marked to exterior of boat in white cartouche, the item comes together with a Sumida Gawa reference book, published in English.

3 1/4 x 18 1/8 x 5 in.

Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia From the personal collection of antique gallery owners Michael and Ingrid Kelly who owned Worldwide Gallery Antiques, dealing with antiques for over sixty-five years, retiring to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they filled their own residence with Asian and Belle Epoch fine arts and antiques.

Sumida Gawa pottery is a distinctive type of Japanese ceramic ware named after the Sumida River near the Asakusa pottery district in Tokyo where it was first produced around 1890. The style, known for its bold colors, rich glazes, and whimsical three-dimensional relief animals and figures, was primarily created for export to the West.

The most prominent artist associated with Sumida Gawa ware is Inoue Ryosai, considered to be the style's originator. However, Sumida Gawa production is also closely linked to the work of his successors, Inoue Ryosai II and Inoue Ryosai III as well as other artists like Hara Gozan, Sakurai Fuji, and Sezan.


Scattered small areas of paint loss and possible later paint to underside of boat; several areas of later paint and glaze touch ups as well as possible reconstruction to legs of several frogs.