Description
Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase by Koshida, dating to circa 1910. The vase is of elegant hexagonal form with a gently tapering body, finely decorated with continuous figural and landscape scenes beneath richly detailed floral borders.
The principal decoration depicts figures and children gathered beside a calm lakeside setting, dressed in finely painted kimono with delicate gilt and enamel detailing throughout the garments. Beyond the foreground figures, the landscape opens into a tranquil panoramic scene with flowering cherry blossom trees, distant mountains, lakeside dwellings and a solitary fisherman working upon the water. The composition moves naturally around the vase, allowing each panelled facet of the hexagonal body to contribute to the wider landscape narrative.
The upper shoulder and lower borders are densely decorated with chrysanthemums and seasonal flowers worked in soft pastel enamels and gilt against a pale ground, framing the central scenes without overwhelming the overall balance of the vase. Fine stippled gilt work across the sky and landscape creates depth and atmosphere while retaining the lighter tonal palette associated with later Meiji and early twentieth century Satsuma production.
The vase bears the mark of Koshida (越田), a maker associated with Kyoto Satsuma ware during the late Meiji period. Pieces of this type were produced for refined export and domestic interiors, where softly painted figural scenes and balanced decorative compositions appealed to collectors seeking more restrained Satsuma decoration than the densely crowded wares of earlier decades.
Fresh to the market, the vase is offered directly from a private UK Japanese Satsuma collection and remains a strong example of early twentieth century Satsuma earthenware with finely controlled decoration and an unusually calm continuous landscape composition.
View the full Japanese Satsuma Collection.
MEASUREMENTS
19cm High x 7.5cm Wide x 8cm Deep (7.5 x 2.95 x 3.15 Inches)
CONDITION
Very Good Antique Condition – minor rubbing to one panel in a small local area
WHAT IS THE JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)?
The Meiji era marked Japan’s transformation into a modern nation and a golden age of decorative arts. With the end of samurai rule and Japan’s opening to the West, artisans produced works of exceptional quality for both domestic and international audiences. Supported by the government through world fairs and Imperial commissions, Japanese lacquerware, cloisonné, satsuma ceramics, bronzes, and ivory carvings reached collectors worldwide. Many leading artists of the time, including Makuzu Kozan and Namikawa Yasuyuki, were honoured as Imperial Household Artists, ensuring the Meiji period remains one of the most celebrated eras of Japanese art.
For further information please see our article Japanese Meiji Period: Art, Collecting, and Cultural Transformation.
WHAT IS SATSUMA WARE?
Satsuma ware originated in southern Kyushu around 1600 and developed into one of Japan’s most recognisable ceramics. Early Ko-Satsuma pieces were rustic, dark-clay wares made for everyday use, while the later Kyo-Satsuma style became famous worldwide during the Meiji period.
Characterised by ivory crackled glaze, delicate overglaze enamels, and lavish gilding, export Satsuma appealed strongly to Western collectors. Designs often feature landscapes, flowers, figures, and scenes from Japanese life and mythology. Renowned artists such as Yabu Meizan, Ryozan, and the Kinkozan workshop produced some of the finest examples, which remain highly sought after today. Genuine Satsuma can often be identified by the Shimazu crest, artist signatures, or the mark “Dai Nippon” used during the Meiji era.
For further information on the history of Satsuma Ware please see our article Japanese Satsuma Ware.
WHY BUY FROM JACKSONS ANTIQUE?
At Jacksons Antique, we are a small family-run business with over 10 years of experience in the fine antiques trade. We are proud members of LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) and CADA (The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association), trusted by collectors, interior designers, and private clients worldwide.
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With every order, you will receive our latest printed product guide, a certificate of authenticity, and full tracking details so you can follow your item from dispatch to delivery. For complete peace of mind, we also offer a no-hassle money-back guarantee.
We provide flexible layaway options and a level of personal service that larger retailers simply cannot match. When you buy from Jacksons Antique, you are supporting sustainable, environmentally conscious collecting and helping to preserve historic objects rather than contribute to mass production.
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