Pair of Satsuma vases. Japan, Meiji era, ca. 1880.

Pair of Satsuma vases. Japan, Meiji era, ca. 1880.
Hand-painted ceramic.
Measurements: 38 x 20 x 20 cm.

Pair of Japanese Satsuma vases, dated Meiji Era. Satsuma production of this period is highly prized for its intricate decoration and use of richly detailed glazes.

The Satsuma style is known for its ivory or pale beige ceramic background and distinctive fine crackle on the base glaze. Meiji marked a boom in Satsuma production, often with a highly ornate and detailed style to meet export demand.

They are vases with an ovoid body that tapers gently toward the base and a short neck that opens into a wide rim or mouth. They are made of hand-painted pottery with a profusion of brightly colored glazes and gold. The decoration is horror vacui, covering almost the entire surface of the vessel in remarkable detail. The main decoration on the body of each vase consists of large figurative scenes: richly attired warriors or samurai, dressed in ceremonial armor and detailed robes. The faces are expressive, and the details of the armor are meticulously outlined in multiple colors and enhanced with gold. The scenes seem to represent narrative moments from Japanese mythology.