Description
Fine Japanese Meiji period hexagonal satsuma Koro of outstanding form. The Koro shaped with elongated rectangular panels formed in a hexagonal shape with rounded base and rim, intricately detailed with alternating panels of simulated lace porcelain netting with insects and swimming fish. This type of decoration visually appears to show a realistic container for these particular creatures. A typical characteristic of the Tohakuen workshop and that of Naruse Seishi himself. Each panel capturing a different scene with children making an offering and playing around a lake. An alternating boarder of gold spots with pale pink and red colours separate each scene along with a black pinstripe. The shoulders decorated with beautiful scrolling polychrome enamels with each corner decorated with a black and gold boarder. Throughout the piece the enamelling is heavily raised showing an extremely high quality. The Koro finished with a bronze intwined rope lid which will most likely have been a later addition as the Koro would have come originally without a top. The piece is finished with a red oval cartouche signature to the lower left corner of one of the panels reading Tohakuen.
Notes | Naruse Seishi (1845-1923) was born in Nakatsugawa City. He began his career as an apprentice potter in 1858 working his way up to an independent potter, opening his own workshop in Tokyo circa 1872. He encompassed his skill as a painter with his ability to produce the pottery pieces developing both skills together hand in hand. He went on to return to his native environment, near Nabusigawa River and founded pottery workshop Tohauken circa 1894 developing a yellowish glaze called ” Seishi colour”. Seishi continued to produce pieces up until his death in 1923 at the age of 78. Due to the quality and design of his pieces they are extremely sought after by satsuma collectors all over the world.
Reference | For further pieces by the Tohauken workshop and Naruse Seishi please see the Victoria and Albert museum London Accession Number 156-1885 and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
Measurements | 11cm High x 6cm Wide x 7cm Deep
Condition | Very good condition, some very small rubbing to the porcelain nets.
