Antique Japanese Flower Vase, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-055 (26M-055-1)

Japanese Ikebana Flower Vase | Antique Porcelain Bud Vase & Living Room Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-055-1

A gracefully gourd-shaped porcelain vase adorned with hand-painted blossoms and foliage in the classic Japanese polychrome style.

An ikebana vase is a vessel crafted specifically to hold and display the Japanese art of flower arrangement, ikebana -- a discipline that elevates the placement of each stem, leaf, and bloom into a meditative, compositional practice. This charming early Showa-period piece takes a hisago (gourd) form, a silhouette prized in Japanese ceramics for its organic elegance. The rounded body swells upward to a narrow cylindrical neck, providing the controlled opening ideal for ikebana compositions. All around the body, hand-painted botanical motifs unfurl in a rich palette of cobalt blue, teal green, and iron red against a luminous white ground -- clusters of small red blossoms intertwined with sweeping leaves rendered in layered blue and turquoise. A band of blue vertical stripes encircles the foot, a decorative border reminiscent of Imari and Kutani porcelain traditions. A small hand-written mark is visible on the unglazed base, consistent with workshop pieces of the era. This is a fine example of handcrafted Japanese antique porcelain from the interwar period.

Today this petite vase is just as captivating outside the tokonoma as it ever was within it. Display it as a standalone living room accent on a shelf or mantle, tuck a single stem of dried pampas grass or cherry blossom into its narrow neck for a Japandi style vignette, or pair it with other vintage Japanese ceramics for a curated shelfscape in a home office or entryway. Its compact scale and vibrant hand-painted detail also make it a unique housewarming gift or a thoughtful gift for collectors of Japanese antique ceramics and Asian art.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: White-glazed porcelain with hand-painted polychrome overglaze decoration in cobalt blue, teal, and iron red
• Use: Ikebana flower vase; decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; single-stem bud vase for dried or fresh florals; display piece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior
• Features: Hisago (gourd) silhouette with narrow cylindrical neck; all-over hand-painted floral and foliate motifs in polychrome; blue vertical stripe band at foot; unglazed base with hand-written workshop mark; consistent with Imari or Kutani decorative traditions
• Dimensions: 4 1/2" Diameter x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent

A luminous piece of Japanese antique porcelain that brings the timeless beauty of ikebana tradition 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 vintage and 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.