Antique Japanese Celadon (Suwa Sozan I, Imperial House Artist) Extremely Rare Find

Color

Celadon (pale blue)

Original Or Reproduction

Antique original

Status

Japan Imperial Household Artisan

This is a rare original Suwa Sozan I (1st generation) made ceremonial celadon tea bowl in its trademark luminous pale blue glaze. The interior contains an underglaze watermark character [花] (lit. "flower") embedded into the center. The actual production date is unknown but is estimated between 1910 and immediately after 1917. The bowl is encased in its original wood box with signed lid bearing the Imperial Household Artisan seal (see red ink stamp: 帝室技芸員 (Teishitsu Gigei'in), one of the highest honors accorded to craftsmen and artisans in Japan. Its prestige is equal to that of the Order of the British Empire for national Japan-born artisans. A search of Sozan's name yields abundant information about his life, studio, and ceramic works, and that some of his best pieces appear in exhibitions, national museums and in major galleries throughout the world including the Tokyo National Museum, National Museums Scotland, and the archives of the British Museum. Select works are frequently put up for auction at major auction houses such as Zacke, Bonham's and Christie's. The following is an excerpt from the British Museum's site: "Ceramic artist; born in Kanazawa in Kaga (today Ishikawa prefecture) in 1851. In 1907, he opened his studio in Gojozaka, Kyoto. He studied ceramic techniques from Japan, Korea, China and modern Europe. For his outstanding technique of celadon production, he was appointed as an Imperial Household Artisan (Teishitsu Gigei-in) in 1917." Condition: Excellent condition with no damage. The dust bag, towel, box with signed lid are all intact. The wrapping cord (himokake) is frayed but long enough to completely wrap the box closed. Available for shipping or in-person exchange within the US only. On display at showroom in New Jersey location. Please contact for full details. Provenance: Private family collection. Administratorship documents with certified translation available upon request.