Posted 7 years ago
racer4four
(620 items)
Ishii is another Japanese artist whose work is generally way outside my financial means, and so I was pretty happy to find this small bowl at an affordable price. The problem I find is that whenever I can afford a work from these premium artists they are always quite simple, and not indicative of the really great art they generally produced.
Koji (Yoshiharu) Ishii (1946-1996) graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts in 1971 and started work at Toyo Glass that year. He remained full time at Toyo until 1977 when he started working as an independent glass artist from his studio in Chiba Prefecture, although he continued his design association with Toyo until 1988. Like many Japanese glass artists he studied overseas, in his case at the London Royal College.
Ishii mainly focused on making small bowls and glasses, although in later years he started producing larger and incredibly detailed vases. I have seen photos of some absolutely glorious pieces from his hand, with incredible detail housed in a very Japanese aesthetic.
This bowl is 16cm long, and has been made in a leaf shape, with a light brown centre and yellow lip. The very edge of the lip has been trailed in bright green. The work has been finished matte, and is signed on the base Koji.
I must say my photos here have let it down! The fourth photo is of one of his later vases.
I can imagine it doing up all the room
Simply BEAUTIFUL!! So glad you were able acquire this amazing looking piece.
Beautiful! Love the color!
Thanks guys, glad to hear from you!
Many thanks :
Ivonne
Scott
Ken
Vintage Lamp
A lovely rim Karen, and so evidently not European. Coming back to the issue of cost the fact that pieces are are signed or labeled means you don't get the lucky finds sometimes found with unmarked glass!
It is a lovely little bowl Peggy, and after looking for an affordable Ishii for a long time I am no disappointed. I'm glad you understand! Thanks.
very interesting the post thanks
Thank you Kivatinitz.
I agree Karen it is quite simple compared to the wonderfully detailed Japanese glass you've introduced me to. Having said that, he did spice it up a little with the brown center providing a subtle contrast to that lovely yellow, which was then framed with the green trim and the matte finish. Simple yes, but this wasn't just thrown together. He obviously put thought into the bowl, smartly using color, shape and finish.
As you say Rick the rim and colour make this a much better piece than it could have been. It is an accomplished piece of glass and quite enchanting, and I'm pleased to have a piece signed Koji. Thanks for your usual great insight.