Japanese Satsuma Vase with Gold Gilt High Relief Decoration Depicting a Goddess

A mid-20th century Japanese Satsuma vase with figures. Satsuma ware is a style of Japanese earthenware originally from the Satsuma region of what is today southern Kyushu. There are two distinct categories of this ware: The original plain dark clay early Satsuma...

A ceramic vase in tapered square form made by Japanese studio Seikozan circa 1890-1910s (late Meiji Period). One of the many artist studios that specialized in satsuma ware, Seikozan...

A large Japanese ceramic vase from end of Meiji period circa 1880s- 1910s by Kinkozan (1645-1927). One of the largest studio manufacturers of the export ceramics at the time based in Kyoto. In the typical style of satsuma made at the turn of 20th century, the vase is of a moon jar shape and finely decorated with kinran-de (gold paint) on a cream white background with even fine crackles. What sets this particular vase apart from many lower quality and mass-produced pieces is the meticulously renditioned surface decoration. Lavishly gilded with a continuous design, the carefully composed imagery depicts an elaborately decorated float cart in a festival parade. A group of people are seated within the float with a woman and a child standing in the front. Surrounding the float are streams of marchers dressed...

A rare porcelain vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1870-81 (late Meiji period). The vase is dated to the earlier work from Kozan's studio during his early period (Takauki-ware p...

Very beautiful baluster-shaped ribbed vase in Japanese porcelain decorated with birds and flowers, in cobalt blue, iron red and white colors. Two sides of the vase are decorated with...

A miniature vase in elegant upright form reminiscent of the Chinese imperial Willow Leaf form made by Japanese studio Seikozan circa 1890-1910s (late Meiji Period). One of the many a...

A fine diminutive, antique Japanese Satsuma pottery cabinet vase. Decorated throughout with gilding and raised enamel. There are...

A large Japanese ceramic vase from the end of Meiji period circa 1890-1910s by Kinkozan (1645-1927). One of the largest studio manufacturers of the export ceramics at the time based in Kyoto. In the typical style of satsuma made at the turn of 20th century, the vase is elaborately decorated with a rather unusual kinran-de (gold paint) and green enamel highlight on a mottled brown background. The painterly decoration depicts a large seasonal floral arrangement in a circular fashion. Besides the obviously superb craftsmanship, what sets this particular vase apart from many lower quality and mass-produced pieces is its tone-on-tone color pallet that is visually somber and the small and sensitive details that heralds the change of the seasons. When the viewer goes beyond the first casual glimpse of the blossom and foliage, one would notice that on the edges of certain leaves as well as along the stalks, there accumulates a very thin layer of the white dust that represents the frost. The flower in bloom are chrysanthemums. Despite of being splendid, they are the messengers of the autumn. The large lotus leaf was subtly rendered in a bended and slightly withered manner, just past its prime. Although the lotus is still in bloom, the prominent seed pod indicates it may be the last for the season. The sentimental capture of the change of the seasons is not unusual in Japanese art. This vase poetically represents such a subtle transition from summer to fall, perhaps depicting the very first frost. The neck of the vase is also slightly unusual with two rolled rings...

A petite and beautiful hand-decorated ceramic baluster vase, painted all around with traditional Japanese motifs, including native flora, birds and bamboo stems on a creamy glazed background. The colour palette is bold and bright, with highlights of green, red and blue, together with plentiful gilt relief...

A Satsuma baluster form vase from the studio of Yabu Meizan (birth name Yabu Masashichi; 1853-1934), who is one of the most celebrated and collectible Satsuma artists from Meiji Peri...