Large Japanese Sumida Gawa Vase Signed By Ryōsai, With Climbing Figures, Meiji–taishō Period, Circa 1900

A hand-thrown Japanese Sumida Gawa (Sumida-yaki) vase, signed Ryōsai, dating from the late Meiji–Taishō period, circa 1900–1920. The low-fired red earthenware body is wheel-thrown with visible horizontal ribs; it has a tall, slightly tapered cylindrical shape, with the shoulder and neck pinched and folded into a wavy, bag-shaped rim with an irregularly gathered edge—a sculptural and unusual variation on the form.

The shoulder and folded neck are enveloped in a lustrous, flamed glaze streaked with deep olive-brown, black, and cream with touches of blue, flowing in heavy drips over a matte brick-red engobe background, in the style of Chinese Shiwan (Shekwan) stoneware.

A Japanese Sumida Gawa (Sumida-yaki) vase, hand-thrown and signed Ryōsai, dating from the late Meiji–Taishō period, circa 1900–1920. The low-fired red earthenware body is wheel-thrown with visible horizontal ribs, of tall tapering cylindrical form, the shoulder and neck pinched and folded into an undulating sack-like mouth with an irregularly crimped rim, an unusual and sculptural variation of the form.

The shoulder and folded neck are covered with a lustrous streaked flambé glaze in deep olive-brown, black and cream with touches of blue, running down in heavy drips over the matte brick-red engobe ground in the manner of Chinese Shiwan (Shekwan) stoneware.

Applied and modelled in high relief, two figures animate the body: an older man in a green-glazed robe leaning down from a dark applied rocky outcrop, reaching towards a boy in a white robe painted with underglaze blue spots who climbs up from the rocks below, both with finely detailed expressive bisque faces. The lower body bears an applied gourd-shaped white porcelain cartouche painted in underglaze blue, signed Ryōsai (良斎) and attributed to Inoue Ryōsai. The vase measures 31.5 cm in height and 14 cm in width, and weighs 1283 g. In good antique condition: the upper figure is missing his right hand and left foot, with a small chip to the rock ledge on which he stands; the lower figure is missing his right hand; fine craquelure consistent with age; otherwise in excellent antique condition. Please carefully regard all photos as they make an integral part of the listing, and reach out if there are any questions.