Vintage Japanese Kutani Yaki Incised Green Yellow Glazed Bat Small Pottery Pot
a small ceramic vessel, likely an incense burner (koro) or decorative pot, originating from the Kutani region of Japan, specifically the Ishikawa prefecture. "Vintage" suggests it dates from the early to mid-20th century, a period when Kutani ware was widely exported and popular.
Slight wear - see pictures.
Key characteristics of this piece are:
Kutani Yaki (ware): A renowned style of Japanese ceramics known for its vibrant overglaze enamel decoration, often using a palette of five signature colors (green, yellow, dark blue, purple, and red).
Green and Yellow Glaze: The primary colors used align with the traditional Kutani palette. This specific combination is often associated with the aote style, which typically omits red and covers most of the surface in bold green, yellow, dark blue, and purple hues.
Incised: This means the design was carved or etched into the clay before glazing and firing, adding textural detail to the bat motif.
Bat Motif: The bat (komori) is a popular motif in Japanese and other Asian art. In Japanese culture, it is considered an auspicious symbol, as the word for bat is a homophone for the word for "good fortune" or "happiness".
Small Pottery Pot: The size and form suggest it was likely a functional item such as a small vase, brush pot, or, most likely given the decoration, an incense pot (koro).
Pieces with specific artist or kiln marks on the base are generally more valuable to collectors. The value depends on its age, condition, the quality of the craftsmanship, and the artist's reputation. To learn more about identifying specific pieces or their potential value, you can consult resources on Japanese Porcelain Marks or search for similar items on auction sites like Invaluable.com or Barnebys.com.