Antique Japanese Kutani Aka-e Nesting Bowl Set Three Karako Children Peony Meiji 10"W

Japanese Kutani Aka-e Nesting Bowl Set Three Karako Children Peony Meiji 10 Inch

Japan, Meiji period, c. 1880–1910

Large: approx. 10 in. dia × 4 in. H (25 × 10 cm); Medium and small graduated accordingly 

A matched set of three graduated nesting bowls (重ね鉢, kasane hachi) in Kutani (九谷) porcelain, decorated in the aka-e (赤絵) overglaze enamel tradition in iron-red, grey-green, amber, and gold. The interior of each bowl is organized by a bold sweeping iron-red cloud-form cartouche dividing the composition into two zones: the upper register filled with lush botan (牡丹, peony) and mixed foliage, the lower presenting a scene of karako (唐子) — Chinese-style children at play beneath a pine tree, rendered with the animated, fine-line brushwork characteristic of accomplished Meiji Kutani figure painting. Gold scrollwork accents the cartouche borders. The exterior carries alternating white-reserve panels with floral sprays and iron-red ground panels with gilt arabesque, the foot ring banded in orange. All three bases bear the three-character red enamel mark 九谷造 (Kutani-zō). The bowls nest cleanly together.

Condition: Good overall; enamel and gold decoration intact across all three pieces with minor age wear. The largest bowl shows light crazing to the glaze consistent with age. No chips or cracks noted.

A complete and well-matched graduated set — the karako subject and bold aka-e palette are among the most collectible expressions of Meiji Kutani production, and intact nesting sets of three are increasingly difficult to source.