Antique Japanese Blue White Porcelain Prunus Jar by Kanzan Denshichi Kyoto 19th C

Rare antique 19th century Japanese blue and white porcelain jar with gilt overglaze decoration. Decorated in typical ‘cracked ice’ pattern with prunus blossom and bamboo leaves and signed in underglaze blue 大日本 幹山製 ‘Great Japan, Made by Kanzan’.Kanzan Denshichi 幹山伝七 (1821-1890) established his workshop at the base of Kiyomizu-zaka and is thought to have been one of the first ceramicists in Kyoto to specialise in porcelain production. Kanzan experimented with Western pigments under Gottfried Wagener’s guidance, and his workshop is known for its painterly style.In 1881 during their visit to Japan, Queen Victoria’s grandsons: Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and Prince George, Duke of York (George V), visited Kanzan’s workshop in Kyoto where they bought a few pieces as well as attempting to make their own pieces on the lathe.Pieces by Kanzan may be found in the collections of the Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Museum of the Imperial Collections) and Imperial Banqueting Department of Japan’s Imperial Household Agency, Tokyo National Museum and Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives. The Victoria and Albert Museum has a pair of vases displayed at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, a pair of ginger jars and four other small pieces. (from The British Museum website)For a very similar example see collections of The Victoria and Albert Museum – object O483246.In excellent condition with minor age-related surface wear to the gilt decoration. No chips or cracks.Height: 11.5 cm