Old Japanese Sumida Gawa Signed Glazed Bowl Three Pearl Divers Looking In
Description: Offered here is an estate find outside our area of expertise. This is a Sumida Gawa glazed bowl. This round and deep bowl is green on the inside and dark green or black on the outside. There is three men hanging on the side of the bowl looking into it. These men are standing on what looks like rocks and are dressed in long gowns. They are supposedly pearl divers observing water within the bowl. There is a pile of pearls in a basket on the outside. The bowl is marked, presumably by the maker, on the bottom in Japanese characters. Our research indicates that this bowl is from the late 1800s and is a common art form known as Sumida Gawa Bowls. We are not familiar with this art form as such we are selling the bowl as found. Be that as it may, this is a very interesting piece which would make a nice addition to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain but most likely in the late 1800's.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The bowl was made in Japan.
Size: The pieces measure ~5" in diameter at the top, ~3" in diameter at base, and is ~2 1/2" at its highest. The bowl weighs slightly over 13 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Marked with what we believe is Japanese characters on the bottom, which we assume are the maker's mark/name.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: A nice old piece of Japanese art pottery in very good condition having beautiful and vivid colors, which would make a great addition to your pottery collection.
Condition: This bowl style is truly out of our area of expertise and as such we are selling it as found. The bowl is in very good condition. It has no breaks, no cracks, no hairlines, and no repairs. Its colors are fresh and vivid and the piece would display nicely in your collection. The piece has lost some of its coloration on the bottom edge of the base. Other than that, the piece shows a separation in the head cover of one of the men, which we believe is original to the making. We also observe a few spots on the inside of the where the glaze did not cover or discoloration. Again, we believe these are original to the making. Because of l the issues outlined here as well as the fact that we are unfamiliar with this style of pottery, we are selling the piece AS IS at a fraction of its true value. Please see photos for additional condition information.
