KATO ZENJI III: A SUPERB PORCELAIN PAINTING OF A WINTER SCENE WITH QUAILS
By Kato Zenji III (1848-1918) for the Imura Hikojiro studio of Yokohama, signed Nihon Yokohama, Imura-seizo, with seal mark Zen
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A large rectangular porcelain plaque showing a superbly painted and tranquil scene of three quails, depicted in various attitudes, next to withering snowy leaves and flowers amidst a dense mist, and under the shimmering moon. The quails are naturalistically painted with excellent plumage and expressions. One of the quails has its head turned back and exclaims with its beak wide open, another is grooming itself and the last quail almost disappears in the mist. The image of the three-dimensionally painted birds behind the all-enveloping mist is achieved masterfully, making the quails almost come alive before our eyes. Signed in the back in red Nihon Yokohama, Imura-Seizo, and sealed ZEN for Kato Zenji III.

SIZE 56.1 x 43.6 cm

Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: From an Austrian private collection. Kept in the same family since the first half of the 20th century and thence by descent.