Dear Helaine and Joe: Can you tell me anything about my vase? — J.Z., Everett, Wash.
Dear J.Z.: Yes, actually we could tell you quite a lot about your vase if only you had given us some vital facts and details. We are answering this letter because we want to urge our readers to send us complete information when they write. And to make sure pictures are clear and in focus. Otherwise, we may not be able to answer at all.
It is always helpful — if not absolutely essential — to know the size of an object and how it is marked.
But in this case there is very little doubt as to what this vase happens to be even without provided detail. It is Japanese. And we believe it almost certainly was made during the so-called "Nippon" era.
In 1891, Congress passed the McKinley Tariff, which required that all goods that were to be exported to the United States had to be marked with the name of the country of origin. This meant that items made in France had to be marked "France" and items made in England had to be marked "England" and so forth.
The law went into effect in October 1891, and the Japanese chose to mark their wares with the word "Nippon," which was the designation they used for their country. This means that all Japanese ceramic made from 1891 to 1920, when the law was changed to require the Japanese to use the word "Japan," carried the name "Nippon."
We are certain that the piece in today's question is so marked because we have seen examples exactly like it stamped with the word "Nippon" and the famous "M in Wreath" insignia. This is the logo for the Morimura Brothers, who were importers in New York City.
This particular vase was probably made circa 1910, and it has wonderfully sensuous handles and a tulip shaped top that were inspired by European Art Nouveau design. All the decoration on this piece is done using a technique called "moriage." which refers to the raised ridges that make up the three toed, white dragon and surrounding turquoise flames that wrap around the body of the vase.
The term "moriage" refers to any type of raised decoration found on Japanese ceramics. Moriage can be made from slip, which is nothing more than a mixture of clay and water or from enamel.
At the time this piece was made, the slip probably was applied using a bamboo tube; today a syringe is often used.
The last issue that need to be addressed is size, and the value of this piece depends very much on just how big it happens to be. If, for example, the height is approximately 9 1/2 inches, the insurance replacement value is between $600 and $750. But, if the height is closer to 6 inches, that value plummets to around $400.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of "Treasures in Your Attic" (HarperCollins, $18). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.