Yunomi- Japanese

Attached pics of what I assume is a Japanese Yunomi cup.

Small foot/pedestal.
Excellent abstract glaze decoration.
No makers mark.
Height 3.5”, diameter of top 2.5”

Would appreciate any thoughts insights etc.

Thanks in advance.

Is that a great big hairline crack down the side?

Hi Philpot

Thanks for your reply

Afraid that is a hairline but mat least it’s stable!

Interested in any thoughts on origin, age etc despite the hairline.

Thanks again

I could be wrong but its not the usual shape or decoration for a Japanese yunomi; they stick to traditional styles.

Thanks Naomi, not an expert on Japanese pottery so really your reply. As such any pointers are greatly appreciated

Thanks

Suggestion of this being Korean?!? Love any thoughts as always. Thanks in advance

The trouble is, that for this to be Korean you are looking at at a very, very small and specialised market. The numbers literally being minute. Which is reflected in the chances of this being Korean! Probably like a lot of unidentified things, this was made by a good potter in the 1970's when making pottery was hugely popular. But a potter- like many others-did not continue because the market was too small all of them.

philpot wrote:The trouble is, that for this to be Korean you are looking at at a very, very small and specialised market. The numbers literally being minute. Which is reflected in the chances of this being Korean! Probably like a lot of unidentified things, this was made by a good potter in the 1970's when making pottery was hugely popular. But a potter- like many others-did not continue because the market was too small all of them.

Thanks Philpot, once again, for your reply and thoughts. Really appreciated and very helpful as always.

Kindest

If I r.emember rightly, the famed Goldmark gallery were one of those few galleries to handle Korean pottery. Below is a link to one of their Korean potters with some photos of styles.
https://www.goldmarkart.com/blogs/discover/kang-hyo-lee-in-conversation

philpot wrote:If I r.emember rightly, the famed Goldmark gallery were one of those few galleries to handle Korean pottery. Below is a link to one of their Korean potters with some photos of styles.
https://www.goldmarkart.com/blogs/discover/kang-hyo-lee-in-conversation

Funny you should mention Lee Kang-hyo, I have just catalogued three of his punch'ong decorated bowls for my studio pottery section in the forthcoming October sale at Dominic Winter. They are lovely pots.

Once the catalogue is finished I will start a new thread in the correct section. As some of you may remember, I am working quite hard to develop the studio pots at DW and things are going from strength to strength.

Ed (Saddington)

I’ve found some Arita ware cups this shape, so it is a traditional form. The hairline and crazing means it’s earthenware. The glaze colours point to Okinawa Prefecture, assuming they also made cups in this shape.

One does wonder if you are wasting your time tho. As a collector I would avoid unmarked pieces like the plague. Unless they had cast iron providence. Shades of endless 'Shoji Hamada' work. Equally, one mention of a hair like crack would be a total NO,No. People do not collect damaged items!

Philpot, you’re ignoring the purely intellectual challenge of identifying something regardless of value

I was mainly talking about commercial value Naomi. As Ed is doing cataloguing for an auction house I presume.
I agree the intellectual challenge is intriguing. One gets a buzz when one is proved right!
But....on an ummarked bit of pottery there is always that question mark nagging at the back of one's mind. Shoji Hamada anyone?

Dear Naomi and Philpot.

Thanks as always for all your comments. Always illuminating and thought provoking.

Ed , look forward to your future posts.

Always remain hopeful that I’ll turn up a Hamada one day!🤪

Kindest

Ah.....
But How will you know its an Hamada?

philpot wrote:Ah.....
But How will you know its an Hamada?

Indeed!