The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of exceptional antique & vintage heirlooms. The Ford estate presents highly valuable items from a diverse group of genres, 95% + in excellent condition. xxxxxxxxxxx. The AEAA is exceptionally pleased to present this stunning pre-1921 Giant, Rare 4 panel & square shouldered collar base vase, finished a spectacular cream & black ground, and featuring gorgeous land, lake and boat scenic medallions with heavy pink & Turquoise beaded enamel alternating stylized lotus & lattice accented panels. Our vase even sports spring floral medallions on the abortive neck. This early Nippon vase has exceptional artistic details, and carries the prime collectible blue Hand Painted Nippon Maple Leaf mark (Van Patten #52), used as early as 1891. According to Ms. Van Patten, this specific mark is considered the Patriarch of all Nippon era stamps, and due to the wonderful attention to details, our vase treasure dates to the first period ca. 1891 to 1899. Our 1 in a thousand vase stands 6.5 x 13.5 inches tall, weighing a substantial 5# 8 oz., and is in MAGNIFICENT condition. NO PHOTO CAN DO THIS STUNNING VASE JUSTICE. If you were to buy just 1 Rare early Nippon piece this year, THEN THIS IS THE ONE! Research consulted: The vast majority of comparison data including marks, forms, sizing, hd painted decoration, and pricing comes from the classic compilation, The Collectors Encyclopedia of Nippon Porcelain (Series 1 to 7), Van Pattens ABCs of Collecting Nippon Porcelain, by Joan Van Patten 1979 to 2005, with The Wonderful World of Nippon Porcelain 1891-1921 / by Kathy Wojciechowski xxxxxxxxxxx. In the 19th century, the country of Nippon was virtually isolated from the rest of the civilized world, having achieved 215 years of self imposed seclusion. In 1853, Commodore Perry steamed into Yedo Bay (later Renamed Tokyo), and after a year of frustration, The Kanagawa Treaty was signed on March 31, 1854 opening the smaller ports of Shimoda (near Yedo) and Hakodate in the north to trade. Treaties with other nations followed, and by 1865, Japan was officially open for business. In the years from 1860-1880, many Japanese artists went abroad to learn the foreign techniques, and literally thousands of foreign artisans were brought to Japan to train the locals in European styles. This alliance brought forth wonderful fruit, many of the Japanese embraced the new concepts, BUT also skillfully combined their historic patterns in the mix. The era of hand decorated Nippon porcelain had begun. Prior to the McKinley Tariff Act of 1891, no recorded Nippon marked pieces had come into America. The Japanese Imperial Reign of record was the Meiji period that lasted from 1868 until 1911, and these pre 1891 porcelain items often showed painted symbols or inscriptions bearing such major regional kiln names as Satsuma, Kutani, Arita, Hizen, Kaga, Kioto, Owari, Ise, and Tokio. From 1891 forward, major changes were manifested in the qualification of Japanese porcelain, beginning with the original Hand Painted Nippon Maple Leaf mark.

XA - P101 - excellent condition - very minor gilt loss