This magnificent incense burner is adorned with radiant flowers and colourful motifs that instantly catch the eye. The gold finish covering the whole piece gives it a luxurious character. Chrysanthemums, peonies and plum blossoms are delicately depicted in vivid, refined hues, expressing the full beauty of traditional Japanese aesthetics adapted to the contemporary world. This exceptional piece adds a touch of Japanese elegance to any interior, evoking serenity and refinement with every use.

Kutani porcelain

The history of Kutani ceramics dates back to around 1655 (the first year of the Meireki era), at the beginning of the Edo period. Maeda Toshiharu, the first feudal lord of the Daishōji domain (a branch of the Kaga clan), noted that pottery stone had been discovered in a gold mine in his territory, at Kutani (today Kutani, Yamanaka-machi, Ishikawa Prefecture). He then entrusted Gotō Saijirō, who was in charge of gold extraction, with studying porcelain making in Arita, in Hizen Province. Production of Kutani-yaki is said to have begun after a kiln was built at Kutani, thanks to the transfer of these techniques.

The Kutani kilns closed suddenly around 1730 (the 15th year of the Kyōhō era), for reasons that remain unknown. The porcelain produced in that period is known today as Ko-Kutani (“old Kutani”). Famous for their colourful painting and bold motifs, these pieces are considered exceptional works of Japanese ceramic art.

At the end of the Edo period, Kutani production was revived thanks to the efforts of the Kaga clan and the potters.

During the Meiji era (1868–1912), the world of Kutani ceramics changed considerably: Ishikawa Prefecture lost the support of the Kaga and Daishōji clans and followed the new government's industrial policy. The artisans took part in many world fairs in Europe and the United States, as well as in industrial exhibitions in Japan, which led to a massive increase in production and exports.

Meiji-era Kutani thus gained international renown under the name “Japan Kutani” and, by around 1887, held a major place among Japan's ceramic exports. Most of the exported pieces were large decorative objects: monumental plates, incense burners, vases over 1.5 metres tall turned into floor lamps, as well as figurines and many coffee and tea services.