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Offered is a beautiful antique Japanese pentagonal pottery teapot featuring exceptional raised moriage decoration of cranes in flight among flowering plants. The unusual five-sided body, sculpted bamboo-form spout, and wrapped overhead handle make this an especially striking example of early Japanese art pottery.
Based on its construction, decoration, and impressed workshop seal, this teapot is believed to date to the late Meiji to Taishō period (approximately 1895–1915). While often described as Satsuma-style pottery, it is more accurately attributed as Kyoto (Kyo-yaki/Awata) ware in the Satsuma tradition, a style produced for both domestic and export markets during this period. Similar Kyoto wares feature impressed workshop seals rather than painted signatures.
The body is an uncommon pentagonal (five-sided) form with a matching pentagonal lid. Raised white moriage cranes with fine crackle glazing decorate each panel against a textured cream-colored ground with hand-painted floral motifs. The bamboo-form spout and wrapped swing handle complete the elegant design.
The underside bears an impressed oval workshop seal. Although I have researched the mark extensively, I have not been able to positively identify the workshop, so it is being sold as an unidentified maker.
Condition
Please examine all photographs carefully as they are part of the description.
* Original lid included
* Beautiful raised moriage decoration with excellent visual appeal
* Wrapped swing handle intact
* Small chip/missing scallop on the upper rim
* Lid has visible cracks
* Finial is cracked
* Typical age-related crazing consistent with antique Japanese pottery
* No obvious structural crack to the body observed
A wonderful display piece with outstanding decorative presence despite the condition issues noted above.
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Approximate Dimensions
* Height: 4 3/4” (pot only) - 7 3/4” (with handle)
* Width: 6” (including spout)
* Body circumference: 18”
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Item Specifics
* Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
* Type: Teapot
* Material: Earthenware / Pottery
* Style: Kyo-yaki (Kyoto Ware), Satsuma Style
* Features:
* Moriage (raised enamel) decoration
* Crane motif
* Bamboo-form spout
* Pentagonal body
* Impressed workshop seal
* Antique
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Keywords (naturally included for search)
Japanese teapot, Kyo Satsuma, Awata ware, Meiji pottery, Taisho pottery, moriage, crane, art pottery, Kyoto ware, bamboo spout, antique Japanese ceramic, five-sided teapot.
