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February 2023 Update – Chinese ‘Kutani’ Porcelain and New eBay Items


Earlier this month, we published our new blog post on 19th century Chinese imitations of Japanese porcelain titled ‘Unusual Chinese Export Porcelain in Japanese Kutani Style’. What’s more, some of the pieces featured in this post are currently up for auction on eBay. Here’s your chance to add one of these rare pieces to your collection! Scroll down to see all the latest eBay auctions and exclusive ‘Buy It Now’ items added to our shop this February.

Visit Asian Art Curator to bid on latest eBay auctions closing this week. Featured auctions are being added throughout the week so make sure to stay up to date! Our Resource Hub features a list of all free Asian art resources.

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Our latest blog post
Unusual Chinese Export Porcelain in Japanese Kutani Style
New eBay auctions and exclusive items
Antique Chinese Rouge de Fer Porcelain Vases in Japanese Kutani Style. Late Qing Dynasty


AUCTION – Antique Chinese Rouge de Fer Porcelain Vases in Japanese Kutani Style. Late Qing Dynasty

This is a rare pair of late 19th century Chinese (Cantonese) export porcelain vases of typical form with applied chimeras and foo lion handles. What’s unusual about them is that they are decorated in a pattern commonly referred to as ‘hundred scholars’ that is characteristic of Japanese Kutani porcelain.

Height: approx. 25.5 cm each

Auction ends 26 February 2023.


AUCTION – Antique CHINESE Rouge de Fer Porcelain Dish in Japanese Kutani Style Late Qing

Another rare late 19th century Chinese (Cantonese) rouge de fer export porcelain dish decorated in a typical Japanese Kutani pattern commonly referred to as ‘hundred scholars’.

Diameter: 23.8 cm

Auction ends 26 February 2023.


AUCTION – Antique CHINESE Rouge de Fer Porcelain Dish #2 in Japanese Kutani Style. Guangxu Period

This is the third piece representing late 19th century Chinese (Cantonese) rouge de fer export porcelain decorated in a typical Japanese Kutani pattern commonly referred to as ‘hundred scholars’.

Diameter: 20 cm

Auction ends 26 February 2023.


Antique Chinese Relief Carved Wooden Box With Domed Lid. Canton Export Carving

Lovely Chinese box with domed lid, carved in low relief all over. Decoration features foliate scrolls and bird inside a circular medallion. Wood has nice natural dry surface. Lock has been at some point replaced.

Dimensions: 23x11x11 cm



Antique Japanese Red Lacquered Jewellery Cabinet With Floral Decoration

Beautiful early 20th century Japanese red lacquered table cabinet with 7 drawers, two of which are behind hinged doors with nicely hand-painted bird and floral decoration. Unique design of this cabinet allows it to be separated into two independent units – originally designed with additional board at the top that would transform it into a miniature desk. Would make a great jewellery or trinket box. 

Dimensions: 30x23x20 cm



Large Antique Japanese Kutani Porcelain Okimono Figure Reading a Book. 28 cm / 11″

Lovely large Kutani porcelain figure of a scholar in long flowing robes, depicted standing on a rock and reading a book.  Beautifully hand-painted with colourful overglaze enamels all around.

Diameter: 28 cm / 11 inches



Vintage Hand-Painted Tibetan Buddha Mandala Thangka / Tangka on Canvas. Framed.

Lovely little Tibetan Buddha mandala thangka hand-painted in opaque watercolours on canvas. Nicely framed and glazed.

Frame measures 31.5×27 cm, visible area of the painting is 21×16.5 cm



Antique Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery Brush Washer or Vase in the Manner of Ishiguro Koko

Cute Japanese Sumida Gawa brush washer or a small vase with two applied figures of Chinese children (karako). Not signed but done very much in the manner of Ishiguro Koko 石黒香々. 

Height: 11 cm



Antique Japanese Kenjo Imari Porcelain Plate With Chenghua Mark

Stunning Japanese Imari porcelain dish with shaped rim. Featuring a large central medallion with scholars in the garden, framed by four cartouches with Ho-o birds and dragons. All set against nicely done green and aubergine diaper background. Underglaze blue apocryphal Chinese Chenghua reign mark underneath.  

Diameter: 23.2 cm


Antique Chinese Biscuit Glazed Famille Verte Porcelain Equestrian Figure Group

Fine Antique Japanese Cloisonne Charger Plate With Cranes. Meiji Period

Fine Antique Japanese Cloisonne Dish With a Shi-shi Foo Lion. Meiji Period



LARGE ANTIQUE CHINESE SICHUAN POTTERY FIGURE. EASTERN HAN DYNASTY (25–220 A.D.)



Unusual Chinese Export Porcelain in Japanese Kutani Style

Unusual Chinese Export Porcelain in Japanese Kutani Style


Did you know that Chinese made copies of Japanese Kutani porcelain in the late 19th century? Me neither. After acquiring a unique Chinese dish decorated in typical Kutani style – complete with mock Kutani mark! – I was curious to learn more. However, sifting through literature and searching online didn’t help – there appears to be no mention of these anywhere. One of the curators at V&A told us that they remember Rupert Faulkner, their retired Senior Curator of Japanese Art, mentioning Chinese copies of 19th century Japanese export ceramics in a conversation some years ago. This anecdotal evidence was all I had at this point.

I kept searching and was later able to find additional examples of Canton porcelain decorated in the Kutani style and similar pieces in other collections which are mentioned below. But the question remains – why did they do it? Anthony M. Lee suggested in our original post that this might have been a response of Chinese decorators to increased popularity of Japanese motifs during the craze of Japonisme in Europe in the second half of the 19th century. I personally like that theory and it makes a lot of sense.

Chinese Kutani style decorated porcelain
This is the dish that started our interest in this topic. At first glance just a normal Japanese Kutani plate but you flip it over and realize that this is a 19th century piece of Chinese porcelain typical of Canton export pieces. It is 20 cm in diameter.
Chinese Kutani style decorated porcelain
Detail of the foot.
Chinese Kutani style decorated porcelain
You then have another look at the decoration and realize how different it is from actual Japanese examples when you start examining it closer. All the little details including figure’s face, flowers and diaper background are not consistent with Japanese style. It does appear that this is an attempt to copy Kutani porcelain by someone who was not used to paint this type of decoration. Our first thought was that it might be a porcelain blank that was later decorated in Europe but looking at other examples shown below makes us believe that this was decorated in Canton, China.
This was our second find – a Chinese dish of almost identical form and size, but this time decorated in aka-e Kutani pattern commonly referred to as ‘thousand scholars’. Notice the central medallion with a very typical Chinese bird-and-flower motif. Once again, when you start looking at the details, you will see stylistic differences in the way figures are painted (more on this below). This example doesn’t have any mark on the back so you could argue that rather than being a copy of Japanese Kutani porcelain, it is just a Chinese interpretation of the same pattern.
Two dishes side by side.
Porcelain bodies are of similar size and form with some difference in the colour of the paste.
Even though this second dish isn’t marked, we’ve managed to find another – almost identical – example online with this unusual iron red mark that reads 阜隆 (Fulong).
And another example of the ‘hundred scholars’ pattern on Chinese porcelain, this time on 19th century Canton export vases with characteristic applied chimeras and foo lion handles. Height 25.5 cm. Just like the two dishes above, these were listed as Japanese. In fact, porcelain in this pattern is almost always listed by dealers and auction houses as Japanese. We’ve managed to find only two example identified correctly – the first one by Guinevere Antiques listed as ‘Chinese 1000 Scholars Rouge de Fer Vases’ (dated c. 1880) and the second in Bob & Freek Collection listed as ‘Beautiful 19th c Cantonese porcelain plate with a scene of hundred face’ (dated Guangxu, 1875-1908).
Green enamel residue at the base of one of the vases (right) is very typical of enamels found on 19th century Canton Famille Rose porcelain decorated in Rose Mandarin or Rose Medallion style (left). This would suggest that these ‘rouge de fer’ examples were made by the same studios that produced more typical export pieces.
Miniature examples with applied gilt chimeras. These would originally come with domed lids featuring gilt foo lion finials. Each measures approx. 12.5 cm / 5 inches tall.
Comparison of figures on Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Eyes on Chinese examples are dots, compared to dashes on Japanese ones. Outlines are done in iron red on Chinese examples and in black on Japanese. There is also difference in hairstyles between the two.
And one more dish in the same pattern – this one measures 23.8 cm in diameter, is more thickly potted and has a different type of foot. It again features a bird-and-flower medallion in the middle and two concentric iron red and gilt borders with ‘hundred sholars’ motif between them.
Detail of the foot with traces of kiln grit (click to enlarge).

So, what are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have similar pieces in your collection? Are you aware of any literature mentioning these? We would love to hear from you and learn more! Feel free to contact us at [email protected]

January 2023 Update – New Exclusive eBay Items


See what’s been happening on our website and on eBay this January. Our audience is rapidly growing so we would like to welcome all our new visitors and members. Hope you’ll find our resources and articles helpful. We would also like to thank all customers using the new Asian art identification service which is quickly becoming one of our most popular pages. We’ve had great feedback so far and are very excited to keep solving mysteries of antique Asian objects for you.

We’ve also added a new article on ‘clobbered’ Chinese porcelain and will keep expanding it as we come across additional examples of these completely unique and very colourful pieces of Chinese porcelain decorated in Europe. See the list below for all new additions to our website and eBay shop this January.

Visit Asian Art Curator to bid on latest eBay auctions closing this week. Featured auctions are being added throughout the week so make sure to stay up to date! Our Resource Hub features all our free Asian art resources.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly product updates via e-mail. Easiest way to get all the latest updates is to follow our instagram and facebook pages.

New arrivals in our shop
Antique Japanese Satsuma Pottery Bowl Marked 神山. Early 20th century
Antique Japanese Satsuma Pottery Bowl Marked 神山. Early 20th century
Antique Chinese Clobbered Famille Rose Porcelain Dish With Dragons. 18th-19th century
Antique Chinese Clobbered Famille Rose Porcelain Dish With Dragons. 18th-19th century
Antique Chinese Clobbered Blue and White Export Porcelain Dish With Chickens. 18th century
Antique Chinese Clobbered Blue and White Export Porcelain Dish With Chickens. 18th century
Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dish With Figures. Kangxi Period, 18th Century
Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dish With Figures. Kangxi Period, 18th Century
Antique Chinese Blue and White Export Porcelain Dish With Floral Decoration. Early 18th century
Antique Chinese Blue and White Export Porcelain Dish With Floral Decoration. Early 18th century
Our latest article
Chinese ‘Clobbered’ Porcelain Decorated in Europe
New exclusive eBay items
Pair of Antique Japanese Rectangular Cloisonne Panels / Plaques. Meiji Period


Pair of Antique Japanese Rectangular Cloisonne Panels / Plaques. Meiji Period

Lovely pair of Japanese rectangular cloisonné plaques featuring blossoming prunus and bamboo, set against a gorgeous blue ground (with slightly different tone on each panel). Originally possibly part of a screen or something similar. Quite rare and stunning decorative objects.

Each panel measures 18.5×11.5 cm

Antique Thai Gouache Painting From Samut Khoi Folding Buddhist Manuscript Framed


Antique Thai Gouache Painting From Samut Khoi Folding Buddhist Manuscript Framed

Nice 19th or 20th century Thai gouache painting from traditional illuminated folding Buddhist manuscript (Samut Khoi). Framed by Man Fong, picture frames maker, Hong Kong. 

Dimensions: frame 40.5×32 cm, artwork 27.5×19 cm


Antique or Vintage Japanese Gilt Lacquered Wooden Jewellery or Trinket Box


Antique or Vintage Japanese Gilt Lacquered Wooden Jewellery or Trinket Box

Nice Japanese black lacquered jewellery box with hinged lid, internal compartments and a large drawer. Layer with internal compartments can be removed to reveal additional storage space under. Hinged lid with signature that reads 富士製造.

Dimensions: 25x19x13 cm


Fine Antique Japanese Cloisonne Charger Plate With a Ho-o Bird. Diam. 30cm / 12"


Fine Antique Japanese Cloisonne Charger Plate With a Ho-o Bird. Diam. 30cm / 12″

Beautiful large Japanese cloisonné charger decorated with a large central medallion featuring Ho-o bird or Japanese Phoenix against a gold-splashed background. Central scene is framed by a ruyi-shaped geometric patterns and the outer border of the charger is embellished by additional foliate and floral motifs. Reverse enamelled in a typical blue fish scale pattern all over.

Diameter: 30 cm / 12 inches


LARGE ANTIQUE CHINESE KESI KOSSU SILK TAPESTRY PANEL, QING DYNASTY. 160x40.5 CM


LARGE ANTIQUE CHINESE KESI KOSSU SILK TAPESTRY PANEL, QING DYNASTY. 160×40.5 CM

Large antique Chinese kesi silk tapestry textile panel depicting a scene with Daoist Immortals. Gorgeous late Qing dynasty example (for reference see: Sotheby’s Asian Arts / 5000 years sale – 8 November 2022 – Lot 200 – A pair of ‘immortal’ kesi panels, Qing dynasty, 19th century | 清十九世紀 緙絲群仙祝壽圖掛屏一對 ).

Dimensions: 160 x 40.5 cm


Antique Japanese Gilt Lacquered Wooden Box With Working Lock and Key.


Antique Japanese Gilt Lacquered Wooden Box With Working Lock and Key

Very pretty Japanese black lacquer box with hinged lid and working lock + key. Decorated all over with heavily gilded foliate and floral patterns. Standing on a raised openwork base. 

Dimensions: 18×14.5×9 cm


Antique Chinese Carved Spinach Jade Brush Washer With Agate Feet. Qing Dynasty


Antique Chinese Carved Spinach Jade Brush Washer With Agate Feet. Qing Dynasty

Antique Chinese carved spinach jade brush washer of quatrefoil form, standing on later gilt metal mounted feet made out of agate beads with carved Shou characters. Beautiful and unique Qing dynasty scholar’s object for a collection.

Dimensions: 9.5×6 cm


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Identification of Asian Antiques. Translation of Chinese and Japanese Porcelain Marks