Japanese Vases, 20th Century

Decorative pair of Japanese vases made of white and blue porcelain. It is a vintage set which dates from the 20th century and is in very good condition. The vases are almost perfect and have no dents, cracks or reparations. They are hexagonal in shape and the complex decoration that embellishes their outside is really attention-drawing, being full of blue designs and images which scarcely let us see the white background. The decorations are divided in panels, one on each side of the vase. The pieces bases and the parts which go immediately under the vases necks are decorated in the same way: they bear abstract motives with always the same flower in the center. The necks have a similar decoration but the abstract designs and the flowers are slightly different. But surely the most appealing part is the central body: it is the bigger one and its six panels are decorated with Oriental motives, framed by wide lighter stripes and with beautiful images of geishas at the top. There are two different images which are repeated alternatively, making up a whole of three portraits of each geisha in each vase. The women are dressed with traditional kimonos and their hairdo is also the classical one. They are standing in front of a landscape with trees, clouds and a wooden railing. Their portraits only show their heads and shoulders: one of them is with her back to the viewer and turning her head backwards, while the other is looking to the left and leans her face on her hand, looking thoughtful and introspective. These images are evocative and delicate, and make of this pair of vases an appealing porcelain set which will undoubtedly stand out in the most elegant room. Measurements: 150 mm width x 320 mm height.