Hand Paint Japanese Majolica Cookie Jar Fruit on Basket Weave Pattern By the Hotta Yu Shoten & Company Pre 1947
Description: This is a beautiful old piece of Japanese majolica. This is a cookie or biscuit jar with a lid. The piece has a light yellow background color and shows a raised basket weave pattern all around. There is a very colorful raised design on top of the lid and on the outside of the jar of beautiful fruits. These are possibly prunes (blue colored) and cherries (the light purple colored fruits). There are green and black leaves associated with the fruits. The lid has a central finial in the form of what appear to be three peaches or apricots. The jar has a round flat base, which rises with straight side walls to a plain and brown colored rim. There is a lip below the rim on the inside where the lid would rest. The sides of the jar have two green leaves extending outwards where a wicker handle would be fitted to carry the jar. Unfortunately the handle is no longer with the jar and we are selling the jar as found for a low price. The jar is marked on the bottom as to the maker. Please carefully view photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Pre 1945.
Origin: Japan.
Size: The jar is ~6 3/8" in diameter at the base and is ~7 3/4" high. The piece is ~8 1/2" wide including the two extension where the handle would fit. The piece weighs about 4 pounds and 2 ounces unpackaged.
Maker: Hotta Yu Shoten & Company.
Marks: The piece is marked with a cherry blossom having the letter "H" in its center with the words "Hand Painted" on top of the flower and the word "Japan" under the flower, all in blue transfer under the glaze. This logo was used by the Hotta Yu Shoten & Company from approximately 1920 thru 1940. After 1945 their logo was changed to "Hand Painted, Made in Occupied Japan”.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Nice old and rare piece of Japanese majolica pottery in a beautiful pattern and in good condition to add to your collection.
Condition: The piece is in general good condition. It has a large chip and a smaller chip with some cracking around it, next to each other, on the foot and a tight hairline at the top which extends through the lip where the lid rests and stops there. We do show both issues in the photos especially the hairline which we show three times from different angles. The piece also has extensive crazing to the glaze, which gives the piece a very nice look and great character. There is also a couple of very small surface chips on one of the two extensions for the handle. As we indicated earlier, the piece would have has a wicker handle, which is no longer with this piece. Be that as it may, this is a beautiful piece of majolica worthy of a spot in your collection. Because of the issues mentioned here we are selling this piece "AS IS" at a fraction of its value. Please see photos for additional condition information.
In Closing: This is a great piece of majolica pottery worthy of a spot in your collection of art or majolica pottery.
