Featured in this lot is are Four (4) Meiji Period Japanese Stencil Porcelain Bowls (Gohan Jyawan -2, Kumidashi Chawan -2), circa 1880-1900, signed, and one (1) Tienshan Rice Flower pattern saucer, signed. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame including African, Afghan and Asian artifacts. Although there was continuity between the Tokugawa and Meiji periods in porcelain decoration, producers were keen to adopt techniques such as printing (inban) to facilitate mass production and reduce costs. One printing method was stenciling (surie), in which paper stencils were placed over the vessel to guide application of decoration. Many late-nineteenth-century vessels exhibit evidence of careless application of stencils, including smeared pigment, overlapping designs, and unevenly applied colour. Most late 19th century underglaze stencil ware designs on Japanese porcelain were executed in blue because of the difficulty in developing other colours that could withstand the high firing temperature required for vitreous wares. These bowls are well preserved, lovely rich cobalt blue and creamy white colours. Slight chipping and hairline cracks observed. Saucer is in nice condition. Largest bowl measures 5.25" diameter x 2.25"H, smallest is 4.25" diameter x 2.25"H; saucer is 6" diameter. Total weight approximate 2lb, 4oz