A Japanese Snuff Bottle? Maybe!

[rpfstoneman]

This one is a bit interesting on a number of levels.  But first, has anyone seen or is aware of a mythical Japanese creature with a body of a Dragon and with a head and tail of a Phoenix?   I have never seen this decorative motif before.

This bottle, which is an actual converted vase, is a Satsuma style ware made from a very fine clay bisc.  It has a soft paste pink ‘Flambe’ type glaze with an etched over glazed metallic silver enamel forming the design.  The design is of a creature with a three clawed (typical Japanese) dragon body with the head and tail of a Phoenix, which I would guess symbolizes the ultimate “Yin-Yang” in the Japanese culture.   

The interior is completely covered in a soft paste cream glaze.  The foot rim and recessed base was left unglazed.  The bottle stands 6.7 cm in height by 4 cm in diameter.  The stopper is made from an old “No-Rotate” brass washer (possibility post WW II Japan) with a hammer copper rod as a spoon and old wooden cork that fits perfectly with a snug snap upon final placement.  Speculating, I would guess the age of the vase to be 1900-1950s, which was later converted to a snuff/herb/medicine bottle post World War II.   Regardless, I found it to be an irresistible piece. 




Let me know what you think or if you know anything about this design.

Enjoy, Charll's Friday Night Bottle

[Steven]

Hi Charll,

Its indeed a really  interesting piece, I have never seen anything similar before, and glaze color, foot rim and  does look japanese to me, but I am not so positive, the motif is kind of like the han period chinese dragon to me,  atho the Han period dragon is more abstract than this.

Anyway, I can't help much on it.

Steven

[George]

Pretty bottle !

Went Google hunting, but no luck ..

[rpfstoneman]

George,

I've been pouring though my books and 'Goggling' for the last couple of weeks with no luck!  Going to try an dig deeper into Japanese mythology.  

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

I've been looking at it, and must admit that I'm stumped.
Joey

[Pat - 查尚杰]

So am I .. never seen one like it. But it is very pretty!

[tabplay]

its very pretty ~

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Misu, You are our Japanese expert; any thoughts?
Joey