PAIR OF MEIJI PERIOD JAPANESE ANTIQUE SATSUMA VASES

Tastefully executed with soft colors of blue, pink, rust, yellow, violet, brown and green, these fabulous vases are exquisite examples of Japanese hand painting upon an earthenware (clay) medium during the Art Nouveau period with floral as a main theme. The handles are applied and are a scroll design. The flowers are executed with a ribbon and bow effect. These vases are not the typical "Bird of Paradise or Peacock Scenes" which are commonly seen and produced in great quantities. These vases are termed White Satsuma Ware.

COMMENT: Today large quality pieces of Satsuma are regarded and held in high esteem by collectors and decorators as well.

MANUFACTURER: These Satsuma Vases are of Japanese origin. However a specific maker cannot be attributed at this time. From inspection, no signature seems to have been located either for the painter or factory.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

MEASUREMENTS:
Central Diameter: 10"
Height: 18"

CIRCA: 1880-1900

BRIEF HISTORY OF SATSUMA WARE:
Satsuma Ware is a type of Japanese earthenware pottery. It originated in the late 16th century, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The best known type of Satsuma ware has a soft, ivory-colored, crackled glaze with elaborate polychrome and gold or gilded decoration. In 1867 the Shimazu clan independently entered some pieces of Satsuma ware in the Great Exhibition, Paris, France. People in Europe were enchanted and soon the name of Satsuma became known throughout the world. After its display at the Great Exhibition in Paris 1867, it proved popular as an export to Europe.

One of the features of Satsuma ware is the great variety of different types of pottery which have been and are still being produced. There are six individual wares of a traditional lineage, namely Katano, Ryumonji, Naeshirogawa, Nishi-mochida, Hirasa, and Tanegashima. In addition White Satsuma Ware, Black Satsuma Ware and pieces of porcelain make up the three main groups of products being made in the area.

White Satsuma ware has a faint yellow ground and is a plain glazed pottery which is covered all over with fine crazing. Colors, enamels and gold-work are then applied.

Black Satsuma ware is a colored pottery done with black, dark brown or amber glazes and has a darkish brown base color because of the iron-rich clay which is used in its production.

CONDITION:  Very fine condition! There are no damages, hairlines or restorations. The roughness seen in the photo on the foot-rim is where someone had applied a gauze padding to prevent surface scratching to a table.