Vase in a large, oval form topped by a wide, horizontal lip, the sides ornamented with a family of three Ise-ebi rock lobsters. Of porcelain, the lobsters carved in relief and painted in iron oxide brown, yellow and white over-glaze enamels, the background seawater executed in a pale, under-glaze blue lightening towards white at the rim. Signed on the reverse in under-glaze blue: Makuzu Kozan Kinsei or Finely Made by Makuzu Kozan (Makuzu Kozan II, the go or art name of Miyagawa Hannosuke who is also known as Miyagawa Hanzan, 1859 – 1940).

With an attested collector’s paulownia wood storage box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Iro Sometsuke Ebi Mon Chokoku Kabin or Colored and Blue and White, Carved Porcelain Vase with Lobster Motif; and on the reverse of the lid: Yokohama Makuzu Ni-dai Kozan Saku or Made by the Second Generation Makuzu Kozan (of) Yokohama, and signed: Kosai Shiki or Attested by Kosai (Makuzu Kosai), and sealed twice: Kosai (square seal) and Makuzu (oval seal).

The bokashi fading treatment of the sea creates an elegant, negative space around this lively family of rock lobsters. Fine relief carving lifts the crustaceans from the surface while delicate shading of the gleaming enamels brings them to life. This dramatic sea life subject shares similarities with the equally rare crab motif vases by the Kozan II Studio.