Japanese Ceramic Vase with Delicate Carvings by Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period

A delicate and rare Japanese ceramic vase by the important Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1887-1910. Dated to his underglaze phase post 1887 after he successfully mastered the new colors available from the west and used them to the best advantage in his work deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics. The vase was potted in the classic baluster Haitang form with great proportion. What unusual about this vase is that while the supper body is decorated with realistic chrysanthemum blossom with subtle shades of pinkish crimson and yellow pistils, the lower body, by contrast, is decorated with carved fish clouds. The underglaze painting of the Chrysanthemums was exquisitely executed with mastery, with emphasis on the gradient effect of the petals. The relief carving was done meticulously with precision and forms a pattern of ocean wave around the base. The overall white glaze with slight a celadon hue is impeccable. These qualities place the vase on a high artistic caliber.
The vase is signed with an underglaze blue seal on the base "Makuzu Kiln Made by Kozan".