224 - † KAWAI KANJIRO: JIGUSURI CHAWAN

† KAWAI KANJIRO: JIGUSURI CHAWAN By Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966), signed and sealed to the tomobako Japan, Kyoto, mid-20th century, Showa period (1926-1989) Finely hand-modeled, with deep, gently waisted sides supported on a short, slightly tapered foot, the surface covered overall in a pale olive-green glaze enlivened with dark splashes and attractively pooling across the vessel. The glaze stopping around the foot rim to reveal the dark earthen tone of the ceramic body beneath. HEIGHT 7.9 cm, DIAMETER 11.9 cm Condition: Excellent condition. With the original wood tomobako (storage box), inscribed by the artist Jigusuri chawan, Kan (of Kanjiro), sealed Kawai Kan in. Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966) lived and worked in Kyoto and was a central figure in the Mingei movement. A close friend of Hamada Shoji, Yanagi Soetsu, and Bernard Leach, he was among the founders of the Mingei movement in the mid-1920s and played an important role in shaping its emphasis on the beauty of functional, handcrafted objects. By the mid-1930s, Kawai had developed a distinctive slab-molding technique for tiered boxes and sculptural vessels, often combined with expressive natural glazes and boldly simplified forms. His work is represented in major public collections, including the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Tokyo. Kawai never signed his works and declined the honor of designation as a Living National Treasure. Auction comparison: Compare a related glazed stoneware bottle vase, by Kawai Kanjiro, dated c. 1950s, 24.1 cm high, at Christie’s, Mingei Art of Japan: including works from the Martha Longenecker Collection, 29 June 2017, New York, lot 44 (sold for USD 17,500 or approx. EUR 21,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related glazed stoneware chawan, by Kawai Kanjiro, dated to the mid-20th century, 12.3 cm diameter, at Sotheby’s, Japanese Works of Art, Prints & Paintings, 9 November 2006, lot 1238 (sold for GBP 2,520 or approx. EUR 5,200 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.