Early Porcelain Underglaze Dragon Ewer by Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period

A porcelain ewer with fine underglaze iron red, brown and blue decoration made by the legendary Japanese imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), this relatively rare piece is dated to circa Meiji 23rd to 26th year (1890-1893) based on the mark used on the base. This is the starting period when the artists departed from his high-relief and gold gilt period and started focusing on making porcelain pieces with underglaze paint and experimented new colors. The ewer form is also relatively rare in the artist's survived repertoire compared to other forms.
The piece takes its shape from the prototype Chinese ewer form with a long neck extending out of a bulbous body, a slender sprout with a pointy mouth and an elegant handle. The white surface was finely decorated with two copper red dragons, one slithering upward, the other downward, amidst iron-brown ribbons of clouds and above the waves. The clouds extend and wraps both the sprout and handle. The mouth is circumvented with a blue band of lotus leaf motif. The base is singed in underglaze blue seal "Great Nippon, Made by Kozan". Research indicates that this specific mark was used between Meiji 23rd to 26th.
One of the most reoccurring motifs in Kozan's work is the dragon. The mythical animal was rendered with great animation and vitality as usual. Great attention was paid to showcase the movement of the auspicious symbols and the details such as the face, eyes, claws and the scales. The imagery is created a dramatic visual effect. The craftsmanship displays great refinement from a master's hand.