{"product_id":"antique-japanese-stoneware-sake-merchant-bottle-with-calligraphy-meiji-period","title":"Antique Japanese Stoneware Sake Merchant Bottle with Calligraphy, Meiji Period","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking antique Japanese stoneware sake bottle dating to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeiji period, circa 1870–1900\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a rich iron-brown surface and bold white-slip Japanese calligraphy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally made as a utilitarian vessel for the storage or transport of sake, this substantial bottle has the strong, understated character associated with traditional Japanese folk ceramics. The hand-applied lettering gives the piece a particularly graphic quality, while the braided cord around the neck adds to its rustic, authentic appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe heavy stoneware body has a broad rounded shoulder, narrow neck, and thick rolled rim. Its surface shows natural firing variations, minor irregularities, and age-related wear consistent with traditional kiln production and long use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe auction house identified the piece as Bizen ware. While the form and iron-rich stoneware are consistent with Japanese regional kiln traditions, the exact kiln attribution has not been independently confirmed, so we prefer to describe it conservatively as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epossibly Bizen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent example of Japanese utilitarian pottery that works equally well as a sculptural decorative object in a contemporary interior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Japan\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Meiji period, circa 1870–1900\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Stoneware\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePossible kiln:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bizen\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 12 in.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLargest diameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e approximately 7 in.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e White-slip Japanese calligraphy\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good antique condition with surface wear, firing irregularities, and signs of age and use. Braided neck cord remains present. Please review photographs carefully.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"I Ching Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48253380526132,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0763\/4242\/7700\/files\/34898FF9-BD9E-477B-94A0-870CFD952ADA.png?v=1788031955","url":"https:\/\/ichingantiques.com\/products\/antique-japanese-stoneware-sake-merchant-bottle-with-calligraphy-meiji-period","provider":"I Ching Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}