Kutani Sake Cup Appraisal

Japanese Kutani Ware Porcelain Sake Cup

This is a small, hand-painted Japanese sake cup (ochoko) crafted from fine white porcelain. The piece features a prominent footed base and a rounded body. The exterior is decorated with traditional Kutani-style enamels, showcasing a rich palette of greens, reddish-browns, and metallic gold accents. The design depicts botanical motifs, likely leaves or a landscape scene, rendered with fine black linework. The bottom of the footed base contains a four-character mark in iron-red overglaze: '九谷 進仙' (Kutani Shinsen). The name 'Shinsen' likely refers to the specific artist or kiln studio. In terms of condition, the porcelain appears structurally sound with no visible chips or cracks. However, there is noticeable wear to the gold-leaf gilding on the concentric bands surrounding the base, indicating use and age. The interior of the cup is glazed in simple white. This style of porcelain originated in the Ishikawa Prefecture and this specific piece likely dates to the mid-20th century (Showa era), characterized by its vibrant 'Gosai' (five-color) aesthetic and detailed hand-painted craftsmanship.