Antique Japanese Koro With Lid, Kutani, Meiji Period

An antique hand-painted faience incense burner, Koro, made of red pottery, created in the late 19th century. This rectangular incense burner, resting on four legs and featuring a lid, is richly adorned with polychrome enamels. The faience piece, decorated with overglaze enamel in multicolored and gilded designs, is characteristic of Kutani ware. The panels are embellished with two oval images of flying birds, while the remaining space is adorned with geometric colored patterns in gold, reddish, and green tones. The lid is topped with a cloisonné ornament in the shape of a seashell. The intricate design and exceptional craftsmanship make it a highly desirable collectible.
A Koro is a type of Japanese incense burner used for burning and storing incense sticks. Typically, it is a small cylindrical container with a removable lid, where incense sticks are stored vertically. Koro has a long history in Japan, dating back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD) when they were first used in religious ceremonies and rituals.
During the Edo period (1603-1868), Koro became popular among samurai and wealthy merchants as a means to purify the air and create a pleasant fragrance in the home. Koro from this period were often made of metal, such as bronze or brass, and adorned with intricate patterns and motifs, including dragons and phoenixes.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan opened up to the world, Koro were made from a wide variety of materials, including ceramics, lacquer, and bamboo. The production of Koro expanded and became more diverse, with new designs and styles emerging, including Koro created for use in the tea ceremony.
Dimensions: Width: 7.5 cm, Depth: 5.5 cm, Height: 8.3 cm
Condition: Minor gilt loss consistent with age. Otherwise, in excellent antique condition.
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