Okinawan vase, 5.25 inches tall, about 150 years old

Okinwan vase
The Sho kings ruled the Ryukyu Kingdom (archipelago between Taiwan and Kyushu) from the early 15th century through 1879.
Ryukyuan ships, often provided by China, traded at ports all over the Pacific. They traded Japanese materials (silver, swords, fans, lacquer ware, folding screens), Chinese materials (medicinal herbs, minted coins, glazed ceramics, brocades, textiles), Southeast Asian materials (sappanwood, rhino horn, tin, sugar, iron, ambergris), Indian ivory, and Arabian frankincense.
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The celadon color is classically produced by firing a glaze containing a little bit of iron oxide at a high perperature in a kiln in which the amount of oxygen is reduced, preventing oxidation. The materials must be refined because other chemicals can cause a change in color. Too little iron oxide causes a blue color (sometimes a desired effect), and too much causes olive and finallly black. The presence of titanium dioxide gives a yellowish tinge.

You can see all of these colors showing up on this genuine antique Okinawan produced ceramic vase.

When the Ryukyu Kingdom was invaded. By Japan. Around 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi asked the Ryukyu Kingdom to help him conquer Korea. If successful, Hideyoshi planned to take on China next. Since the Ryukyu Kingdom was a tributary state of the Chinese Ming Dynasty, they refused the request.

This ticked off Japan, so in 1609 the feudal lord of Satsuma invaded the Ryukyu Islands and put an end to the kingdom's prosperity. The king was kidnapped, and the Ryukyu Kingdom was forced to swear allegiance to Satsuma. The Satsuma clan also took over all their trade as well.

To collectors of ceramic antiques, one of the most important events in the history of Okinawa was the Japanese kidnapping Korean potters and moving them to Okinawa. Korea produced fine ceramics. Okinawa had its only natural source of clay, as did Korea. The Japanese wanted to create a source of fine pottery by transporting the Koean experts to Okinawa.
Korea was famous for its celadon, coming after China in production. In Korea, the celadons produced under the Koryo Dynasty from 918 to 1392 are regarded as the classic wares of Korean porcelain.
 The new ceramics production in Okinawa did not have the same expertise or raw materials as did Korea but they did produce highly desirable glazed ceramics.
 

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This vase exhibits the classic colors and patterns that were produced circa 1750 to 1900 in Okinawa 

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The top rim of this vase shows the dark blue color that was so common.

Money back guarantee, no questions asked.

During the more than 50 years I lived in the Orient I acquired a large collection of antiques.  Now, back in the United States, and 83 years old it is time for me to give up my collection, a piece at a time.  I offer a 100% money back guarantee for all of the antiques I sell.  Simply return them undamaged within 30 days and you will receive a full refund. Sometimes even experts disagree on the exact age of a piece. That is why I off a refund simply because you request it. Many of my treasures I have personally owned for more than 50 years and many I acquired from families who had passed the items down through the generations.