Tomei Bijutsu Appraisal

Japanese 'Tomei Bijutsu' Ceramic Vessel Base

The item is the base of a ceramic vessel, likely a vase, pot, or similar decorative container, characterized by its off-white, crackled glaze. The base itself is circular and appears to be made of sturdy porcelain or stoneware. The most prominent feature is a red, rectangular manufacturer's mark stamped centrally on the unglazed footring. This mark contains Japanese characters, which translate to 'Tomei Bijutsu' (陶美美術), indicating 'Tomei Art Pottery' or similar, with the word 'JAPAN' printed in English below the Japanese characters. The crackle glaze, sometimes referred to as 'ice crackle' or 'crackleware,' is intentionally created during the firing process to achieve an antique or rustic aesthetic. The surface shows a network of fine fissures across the entire visible area of the base. The outer edge of the footring, which would rest on a surface, exhibits some minor dark scuffing and discoloration, consistent with normal wear and tear from use or handling over time. The craftsmanship suggests a commercially produced item, likely from the mid-20th century, given the dual language mark (Japanese characters and English 'JAPAN' often seen on export goods from that period). The unglazed footring indicates it was likely fired resting on its base. There are no visible chips, cracks (beyond the intentional crackle), or significant repairs, though only the base is shown. The overall condition of the visible surface area of the base, excluding the footring wear, appears good.