Japan - Superb Pair Of Fukagawa Vases - Koransha - Arita - Meiji - Circa 1885

Magnificent pair of Japanese porcelain vases from the Fukagawa factory in Arita. The shape is slender and tapered (in the spirit of Chinese Meiping vases). The collar is lined on each side with an insect reminiscent of a cicada placed on a leaf. The porcelain is powder blue and gold. On both sides, the decoration is different: one is floral in which there are peonies as well as high foliage. On the other, there is also a floral decoration, but here, surmounted by a prunus on which the flowers are in ″blanco supra blanco″. Insects fly around the perimeter. A Greek edging is placed on the upper body. The top of the outer collar is trimmed with a lambrequin garland, while the inside is trimmed with a stylized garland. Under the base have the double signature Fukagawa / Koransha (Company of the fragrant orchid). In a perfect state. Dimensions: Height: 37 cm; Diameter: 14cm. Japan – Meiji period (1868-1912) Circa 1885. Fukagawa is a family, a brand, a place and today a porcelain factory in the Arita region. Its history dates back to the 17th century. Its story begins with Ezaiemon Fukagawa who, in 1856, took over the family porcelain business and founded in 1875 Koransha (The Fragrant Orchid Company) in Arita, Japan, to produce tableware for the export. In 1894, the modern Fukagawa company was founded by Chuji Fukagawa, with the Fukagawa mark of Mount Fuji and a stream as its mark. At the Paris International Exhibition in 1900, Chuji Fukagawa won the gold medal with a large flower vase. Among many famous artists, we can cite Kinsaku Ide, creator of forms, and the sculptor Toshi Ninomiya as having participated in the realization of the winning vase of the Paris Expo 1900. The Fukagawa company has served as a supplier for the Japanese imperial house since 1910.