Vintage item, never used. A charming vintage pair of Kutani-yaki (九谷焼) yunomi tea cups, decorated with an elegant combination of chrysanthemum flowers, foliage and flowing Japanese calligraphy.
Kutani ware (九谷焼) originated in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture and is celebrated for its colourful overglaze decoration and strong pictorial character. Kutani ceramics range from richly coloured traditional designs to more restrained pieces such as these, where blue, iron-red and black brushwork are allowed to stand out against a pale ceramic ground.
Each cylindrical cup is covered in a soft pale glaze with fine crazing throughout the surface, creating a gently aged and refined appearance. Around the lower half, delicate kiku (菊 / chrysanthemum) blossoms are painted in warm rust-red and muted yellow, accompanied by leaves and floral details in rich cobalt blue, grey and earthy tones.
The chrysanthemum (菊) is one of the most important flowers in Japanese culture. Blooming in autumn, it has long been associated with longevity, refinement, nobility and rejuvenation. It is also closely linked with the Japanese Imperial tradition and appears frequently in classical decorative arts.
