Rare Japanese Porcelain Incense Burner with Inlays Makuzu Kozan

Description

A porcelain incense burner (koro) made by Japanese potter Makuzu Kozan (also known as Miyagawa Kozan, 1842-1916) circa 1890s-1900s (end … more A porcelain incense burner (koro) made by Japanese potter Makuzu Kozan (also known as Miyagawa Kozan, 1842-1916) circa 1890s-1900s (end of Meiji Period). The koro features an elegant shape with a compressed rounded body supported by three long "deer" legs slightly curving outwardly. The lid features a top knob delicately molded in the shape of a cluster of stemmed Lingzi (longevity mushroom). The koro is completely glazed in light celadon color except for the base which bears the pressed mark of two Kanji characters in archaic font "Makuzu". Low relief white slip inlays decorate the four facades in alternate motifs of Pheonix in flight and clusters of chrysanthemum flowers and paulownia leaves. Round circles circumvent the upper and lower border of the body as well as the edge of the lid. The exterior side of each leg also showcases an inlay of a Lingzi mushroom branch. The decoration of this koro was done in the style of Caledon porcelain from Goryoe dynasty (10th to 14th century) in Korea, which is considered the zenith of such technique in porcelain production.
An old paper label remains on the bottom of the interior, on which it reads the item number, artist's name (Miyagawa Kozan), title (White Goryeo Deer) and historical price tag.
The Goryeo Caledon-inspired piece like this is rare among Makuzu Kozan's existing pieces. There is one such known piece (also a koro) with near identical decoration technique and motif in publication. It belonged to the collection of the last Meiji emperor as illustrated in last two photos of the listing. less