A fabulous baluster form vase by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gaoji Mimi-tsuki Chokoku Kabin (Ivory Porcelain Dragon Carved Vase with Handles).Low on the flaring neck two dragons form handles, and the body of the vessel as carved with archaic symbols reflecting continental taste popular from the Meiji through Taisho to early Showa period.It is 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) tall, 18.5 cm(over 7 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kato Keizan I (1886-1963) was born in Tajimi city, Gifu, a pottery center in its own right, however came to Kyoto to apprentice under Kiyomizu Rokubei IV. He established himself in the same neighborhood in Kyoto, where he became well known for celadon and Chinese based porcelain forms. Works by this artist are held in the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto among others.
