Significant Antique Japanese Sgraffito Charger – Hand-Signed Artist Studio Pottery (39cm), Meiji Period

An exceptional investment piece for collectors of Japanese ceramics, this monumental charger (39cm) is a masterwork of Wabi-Sabi aesthetic.

It features a deep, lustrous tenmoku glaze with a subtle metallic sheen, serving as the canvas for intricate sgraffito scrollwork. The artist has skillfully carved through the dark glaze to reveal the earthy stoneware body beneath, creating a dynamic, rhythmic pattern that flows across the entire surface.

The reverse of the charger is as significant as the front, featuring an unglazed foot rim and a bold, hand-painted artist’s signature. This indicates a high-level studio piece likely produced by a recognized kiln or independent master potter during the late 19th or early 20th century. Its substantial weight of nearly 3kg further underscores its quality and presence as a professional display piece.

• Origin: Japan (Signed Artist Studio Pottery)
• Period: Late Meiji to Early Showa (Circa 1890–1940)
• Technique: Sgraffito carving through Tenmoku/Metallic slip
• Diameter: 39 cm
• Weight: 2800 g
• Condition: Pristine antique condition with characteristic minor firing marks on the base, typical of period kiln-work.

Unlike unsigned export wares, this charger features a clear hand-painted mark, elevating its status from decorative artware to a documented work by a specific studio artist. It is a powerful example of Japanese Mingei (folk art) style, characterized by honest materials and sophisticated hand-decoration.