*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for an old Bizen wall vase made around 80 years ago.  This piece has been made using a slip mould and shaped to resemble a hyotan.  Hyotan are an auspicious symbol linked to longevity and fertility. Traditionally households grew gourds to use as flasks or containers, however the vines were also used to provide shade during the stifling summer heat. Gourds were also used as seed containers, and older Japanese will tell you that seeds kept in such containers were always fruitful.  This piece doesn’t have a metal hook attached to the back, it is designed to slot onto a hook on the wall.  There’s a decent sized opening to hold a small arrangement of flowers, and the stamp of the kiln can be found on the bottom.

Bizen-ware is generally known for its iron-like hardness, simple unglazed texture, and distinctive markings resulting from wood-burning kiln firing. Because of the clay composition, Bizen pottery is fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days, which involves long hours and tonnes of wood. Bizen clay is dug up from rice fields and this iron rich clay is what gives most Bizen-ware its dark colours, though, a few potters prefer to use lighter mountain clay.                                                                                       

Size

H.6cm (2.3”) x L.17.7cm (6.9”) x W.8.5cm (3.3”)                                                                      

Condition

There’s some dust build up on interior and some general wear on the exterior (some light coloured spots).                                                                                                               

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.