Edo Period Arita Akae Imari Japanese Porcelain Jar / 有田焼赤絵伊万里焼

This is one of the pieces from yesterday's treasure hunt I wrote about in my last post, purchased from an antiques dealer in Salem, Massachusetts, who had absolutely no idea whatsoever what it is, which was fortunate for me since I picked it up at an exceptionally low price.   Unfortunately it is missing the lid, but that's fine with me.    I really love this piece.

  It is a Japanese Arita Akae Imari porcelain ginger jar measuring approximately 6 1/2" tall and 3 1/2" dia. base, & 3" mouth.  Arita being where it was made, Akae is the name for the style, and Imari being the port of export.

The only marking is a small "Ri" リ on the mouth of the jar.  As of this posting, I have no idea what it represents.   Unfortunately I'm unable to narrow its age down to a specific date range at this time although I estimate it to be in the range of late Edo period 1850s to early-mid Meiji period 1880s.

 

 

 

Hunting for Asian Art & Antique Treasures Is Only Half The Fun

Today I went out on an Asian art and antiques treasure hunt as I customarily do once every few weeks and I am very pleased with today's finds. Matter of fact, I am extremely happy..

Today's Asian Art and Antiques Finds.

  It's not every day when you get to find a special piece that brightens up your day, but whenever I do find something to add to my collection, it makes me very happy.  

Hunting for Asian art and antiques  is only half the fun.  Browsing around the shelves of thrift stores, rummage sales, yard sales, and yes, even antiques stores, can often be disappointing when you don't find anything you like, or even worse, do find something you like and want, but is way out of your budget, but when you do find something, your eyes widen, your jaw drops and you excitedly pick something up that brings a big smile to your face.  I love it, but like I said, it's only half the fun.

I'm always so excited with my new found treasures and eagerly begin researching each piece, such as maker, age, period, and yes, even its estimate market value, although I have no intentions whatsoever of selling my collection, however, my daughter may wish to do so later on down the road when I'm dead, so I make sure I record everything, just in case.

Researching is exciting and offers an overwhelmingly satisfying learning experience of so many different things, like different cultures, history, production processes, about various artists and makers and so much more, and yes, even with languages too. 

  Collecting is about what you like... what you enjoy..  The pieces that put a smile on your face, the little finds that excite you and make you happy.   You do it because it's fun and you value the rewarding experiences that come with it, and the educational experiences acquired through researching your finds.  Sure it's also naturally rewarding to find a valuable piece too, but monetary value shouldn't be the primary motive in my opinion.. The hunt is only half the fun.

  Some people collect only very old pieces, others like to collect more modern pieces only a few decades old.. but no matter what your tastes and preferences, art is art and should all be appreciated.   There is nothing more distasteful than another so called collector with a negative attitude who makes hasrh remarks against other collectors because said collector's pieces are "worthless", or "crap" in her pseudo-expert, self righteous opinion.  (Yes, I'm talking about you Jennifer Hansen.  You're a scumbag full of BS and everyone knows it!)

  Just because some self proclaimed "serious collector" with a bad attitude says your piece is crap, does not mean it's crap.  To you it is treasure..  your latest find, that brings a smile to your face... that made you happy and filled you with joy and eagerness to find out more about it.   As the old adage goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure".

Happy hunting and have fun doing what you love.

Late Qing Guangxu Period Chinese Porcelain Bowl 大清光緒年制

I found this decrepit old Chinese porcelain bowl in a thrift shop a while back.  I nearly hesitated in purchasing it because of its overwhelmingly poor condition, thinking perhaps it could be an artificially aged fake, or even a poor quality modern reproduction, but according to Peter Combs, owner of PL Combs Antiques in Gloucester, Massachusetts, it's late Qing Guangxu period, possibly very early republic. Estimate late 1880s to early 1900s.

The red seal marking is smudged, but it appears it was the Dà Qīng Guāngxù Nián Zhì 大清光緒年制 red seal mark It feels rough as if it was stamped over the glaze.

pp3 est?