Antique Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Hibachi, Meiji Period, approximately 1868-1911

Antique Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Hibachi, Meiji Period, approximately 1868-1911 | SKU: 24N-146

A large blue-and-white porcelain vessel wrapped in a hand-painted landscape -- mountains, pavilions, and sailing boats rendered in flowing cobalt beneath billowing cloud scrolls.

A hibachi is a traditional Japanese vessel used for holding charcoal embers or water, functioning as both a practical household fixture and a decorative object of considerable prestige. Large porcelain examples like this one -- wide-mouthed, drum-shaped, and richly decorated -- were prized furnishings in prosperous Meiji-era homes, where the quality of one's hibachi reflected taste and social standing. The exterior of this piece is decorated entirely in cobalt blue underglaze, with a continuous hand-painted landscape scene encircling the body: mist-shrouded mountains recede into the distance, pine and willow trees frame a thatched pavilion at the waterside, and small sailing vessels drift across a calm bay. A bold scrolling cloud border frames the scene from above, while a dense band of stylized lotus petals rings the lower body -- a classic decorative vocabulary found in quality Japanese porcelain antique furniture and ceramics of the late 19th to early 20th century.

Today this striking vessel is far more versatile than its original role suggests. Its generous wide mouth and substantial 18-inch diameter make it an exceptional indoor or outdoor planter -- dramatic with a trailing plant or filled with dried botanicals as shown. It works equally well as a decorative accent in a living room or entryway, where its deep cobalt tones complement both Japandi style interiors and more maximalist, collected aesthetics. Place it on the floor as a standalone sculptural piece, or use it as a cachepot to conceal a nursery pot. For collectors of Japanese antique ceramics or lovers of blue-and-white porcelain, it makes a remarkable housewarming gift or a centerpiece acquisition.

• Origin: Japan (likely)
• Era: Meiji period, approximately 1868-1911
• Material: Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration; unglazed interior
• Use: Hibachi brazier or large water basin; household decorative vessel
• Modern Use: Indoor or outdoor statement planter; living room or entryway decorative accent; cachepot for large potted plants
• Features: Wide-mouthed drum form; continuous hand-painted landscape with mountains, pavilions, and sailing boats; scrolling cloud border at shoulder; lotus petal band at lower body; decorative foliate rim border at mouth; heavily stained unglazed interior consistent with long-term use; minor glaze chips visible at shoulder
• Dimensions: 18"Diameter x 11"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- exterior glaze intact with minor chips at shoulder and surface scratches consistent with age; interior heavily stained from prior use; no cracks observed.

A commanding piece of Japanese antique porcelain that brings the beauty of Meiji-era craftsmanship into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.