Vintage Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Abura Tsubo with Dragon Cartouches, Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26M-870

Vintage Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Abura Tsubo with Dragon Cartouches, Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26M-870

A compact porcelain abura tsubo with a rounded body, narrow mouth, and vivid hand-painted decoration in the Imari palette.

This small Japanese porcelain vessel has the classic squat, bulbous profile associated with an abura tsubo, or oil pot, with a low foot, rounded shoulders, and a short narrow neck. The surface is decorated in an Imari-style palette of iron red, cobalt blue, green, and soft enamel accents. Around the body are shaped cartouches enclosing hand-painted dragon motifs, set among scattered floral sprays, curling stems, and small leaf forms on a white ground. The underside shows a blue petal-style border around the foot and a hand-painted mark at the center of the base. Its compact scale and jewel-like decoration give it strong presence whether appreciated as a collectible ceramic or displayed as a small decorative vessel.

Pieces of this size work beautifully on a shelf, in a study, or within a grouped display of Japanese ceramics. Its rounded form and narrow opening also make it suitable for a single stem or dried arrangement, while its painted cartouches and lively enamel details reward close viewing from every angle. For collectors drawn to vintage Japanese porcelain, it offers a charming combination of form, color, and traditional decorative vocabulary.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Porcelain with overglaze enamels and underglaze blue
• Use: Abura tsubo (oil pot); decorative vessel
• Modern Use: Shelf display; small floral vessel for a single stem or dried arrangement; gift for collectors of Japanese ceramics
• Features: Squat globular body with narrow mouth; hand-painted dragon cartouches; floral and foliate accents; blue petal border around the foot; hand-painted base mark
• Dimensions: 4 1/2"W x 4 1/2"D x 4"H
• Condition: Very good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear and visible interior residue at the mouth/opening

A vivid and compact example of vintage Japanese porcelain, combining practical form with richly painted decorative detail.

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 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.