A LARGE AND FINE SETO-WARE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN VASE BY KATO KICHIBEIPorcelain with blue and white paintingJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The large vase depicting various birds in very fine blue and white painting. The bottom section is arranged in two separate rows with cranes in flight between dense clouds. The mid-section with a dense and impressive pine tree with a large falcon, bearing a grim expression, perched on a branch. Not far from him is an owl seated on another branch with many sparrows gliding in the wind and some seated in further branches of the pine tree. Below them is a pair of pheasants looking upwards. The area around the neck and the lid are further decorated with phoenixes amongst clouds in half circle reserves, as well as the lid with same motif and a whimsical piebald rabbit finial. When removing the lid, one finds another lid with a figural pine cone continuing the design on the vase. Signed Nihon, Seto, Kato Kichibei. Seto city in Aichi prefecture is one of Japan’s representative ceramic-producing areas and the artist’s name Kichibei, comes from the Japanese word Hechibei, meaning ‘funny fellow’, as he was known for curious wares.Shape: Baluster shaped vase with two lids with figural finialsDimensions: Height 56 cmCondition: Good condition, only the outer lid with two small v-shaped hairlines restored to perfectionProvenance: American private collectionAuction result comparison: A comparable Seto-ware porcelain vase, smaller and with a floral motif, was sold at Christie’s, Japanese Art and Design, London, 11 May 2011, lot 122