Posted 10 years ago
ChinaThom
(1 item)
An heirloom, Detroit's famed Indian Village (79 Seminole St.). As an artist, I never studied it. As a child I lived with its aura, but not until 2001, that I learned of the Japanese inscription (porcelain paint) on the bottom. I live in Shenzhen, Ch ina and have visited several museums in Central China. Nothing was viewed, I assure you. I have seen large scale 'modern' outdoor sales outlets also (Hankou, Hubei). Again, not until now, when I think of its' majesty have I come to understand it. Its' possessing unmistakable Art Deco influence. It orign was pre 1942, when Wm. C. Toland purchased the house mentioned above. Art Deco was a style that was part Egyptian with roots in the Central Americas, as it so happens. Organic plants, seaweed, Asian foul and highly stylized Inca like men (neck) adorn its black body (underglaze). It is authentically Chinese and in the vicinity of 100 years old, to be sure. The shape is a bit unique, as well, with its gold leaf (?), that only a museum or avid collectore would know about. I am in China, and relocating it would seem silly to do. So the photos are largely mounted on my studio wall . I will continue to seek out the name owner of the house and his inclinations; and more on the historic aspect of Japanese, working in China for the Western Art Deco market. It has to be one of a kind. Many were smashed during WW II and many lost or have homes in Japan, the Western world or even rwemain yet, in China. There may be one or two in museums about the world. It is some 22 1/2 inches in height and weights about 5 pounds. The diameter is 15 inches at the globe, 12 inches at its' base with the neck being about 10 inches . The quality and color is like new, with a couple (?) of small 'paint chips', which could easily be restored. If anyone has any knowleges of this catagory of porcelain. Please contact me at snowyew307@yahoo.com . Thomas W. Toland +86 (150) 1794.1422
it's a beautiful piece, but your description is priceless!
some type of family noir yamatoku problably fin de siecle or somewhat later