Porcelain Censer By Makuzu Kozan. Japan Meiji Period

Exceptional tripod censer in hard porcelain with a polylobed shape. The incense burner in the shape of a flattened melon with twelve slices, each decorated with a dragon painted on top in green, manganese and yellow enamels. Below Makuzu Kozan has chiseled his signature in relief which is very important, in fact it is much more complicated to chisel in relief than in hollow. In hollow all it takes is one pass of the tool to trace the characters while in relief you have to lower all the material around the characters to raise them. It's a detail but it's what makes all the difference between an art object and a work of art. Likewise, the twelve-lobed shape is complex and difficult to create and especially to firing, the risks of bursting and/or deformation in the kiln are multiplied. Finally the simple decoration of dragons is finely drawn, the colors are harmonious. The work is very elegant, of pleasant proportion. A base and a cover in precious wood (probably rosewood) complete the work. I don't know of any other Kozan porcelain that is mounted with wood. One might think that this frame was added late, which is possible, but the quality of cabinetmaking and the perfectly adapted style make me think that the whole, porcelain and wood, was created at the same time. It is an unusual work, everything is unusual, shape, signature, the presence of wood is therefore not surprising. This is one of Kozan's most beautiful creations. In a perfect state. Japan Meiji period around 1900.