Superb Japanese contemporary Arita ceramic quail vase by Yūki Hayama (b 1961), created by dyeing the quails depicted on gold folding screens, a specialty of the Tosa school of Japanese painting. The vase stands 33cm (13in) tall and is ca 33cm (13in) in diameter. It is signed and comes in a signed tomobako (box). It is rare to find a piece by Yūki Hayama for sale as his gems are often made to order.

Perfect original condition.

A native of Arita, the birthplace of Japan’s ceramic tradition, Yūki Hayama established his own kiln in Yamauchi Town (Saga Prefecture) in 1985 at the age of 23. He inherited the 400-year-old tradition of Hizen ceramics and is highly acclaimed for his meticulous hand-painted designs and techniques inspired by Japanese mythology and nature. What makes his masterpieces even more impressive is the fact that he doesn’t sketch his designs beforehand, but paints directly onto the pottery.

An internationally celebrated artist, Yūki Hayama has exhibited his work around the world, more recently at ‘Garden of Dreams’ exhibition in 2021 at the Ippodo Gallery, New York (see www.ippodogallery.com/artists/64-yuki-hayama). He also has many publications to his name and his works are displayed in numerous public collections, both in Japan and internationally.