Antique Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Hibachi-Form Basin, Meiji 1868-1911

Antique Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Hibachi-Form Basin, Meiji 1868-1911 | SKU: 24N-203-13

A monumental blue-and-white porcelain hibachi-form vessel with iron-red overglaze accents -- hand-painted with plum blossoms, foliage, and rockwork in the classic Meiji tradition.

A hibachi-form porcelain basin is a large, open-mouthed ceramic vessel used in the Japanese home as a decorative brazier, water holder, or display piece. This impressive example showcases the refined craftsmanship of Meiji-era Japanese antique ceramics, featuring a squat, barrel-shaped body that widens at the shoulder before curving inward to a broad, flat rim. The exterior is painted in rich underglaze cobalt blue with flowering ume (plum) branches, leafy foliage sprays, and softly rendered garden rockwork -- all set against a subtly muted celadon-tinted ground that gives the vessel a quiet, atmospheric depth. Iron-red overglaze dots punctuate the composition as berry clusters and blossom stamens, adding warmth and visual contrast characteristic of Meiji-period polychrome ware. Encircling the base is a bold Greek-key (sayagata-style) meander border, while the wide rim is framed by a chrysanthemum scroll band and a finely hatched geometric register -- layered decorative bands that speak to the ambitious scale and skilled hand-painting of the period.

At 18 inches in diameter, this vessel commands attention in any interior. Its generous open mouth and stable low profile make it a natural candidate for use as an oversized indoor planter -- ideal for a dramatic fiddle-leaf fig, trailing pothos, or architectural dried botanicals as seen in the lifestyle images. It also works beautifully as a living room accent piece displayed on a low platform or entry hall console, bringing a bold Japandi aesthetic to modern minimalist or eclectic interiors. The striking blue-and-white palette pairs effortlessly with natural linen, aged timber, and raw stone surfaces. Whether placed in a foyer, reading nook, or as a focal point in a collector's display, this piece is a genuine conversation starter -- and a distinctive housewarming gift for lovers of Japanese antique pottery and Asian decorative arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1868-1911 (Meiji)
• Material: Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze iron-red (aka-e) decoration; glazed interior and exterior
• Use: Decorative basin or hibachi-form vessel for interior or garden display; likely used as a brazier holder or water jar in the Japanese home
• Modern Use: Oversized indoor planter for large or trailing plants; entryway statement vessel for dried or fresh botanicals; living room accent piece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior
• Features: Squat barrel form with wide open mouth; hand-painted ume (plum blossom) and foliage scene with rockwork; iron-red berry and stamen accents; Greek-key meander border at base; chrysanthemum scroll and hatched geometric bands at rim; dark-stained interior consistent with age and prior use
• Dimensions: 18"Diameter x 13"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- surface wear and interior staining consistent with age; no chips or cracks noted from images

A rare and commanding piece of Japanese antique porcelain that brings the elegance of Meiji 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.