Description
Large Sized Pottery Vase
From our Japanese Satsuma Collection, we are pleased to offer this Japanese Satsuma Vase by Chikusai 竹斎. The earthenware potted Satsuma Vase of large ovoid form with waisted neck and flared foot rim extensively decorated with a continuous scene. The central band depicts a large mountainous landscape with Bijin and children in the foreground amongst foliage, flowers, trees, rivers and mountains. Further figures and buildings can be found dotted around in various locations across the continuous scene. The vase is finished to the top with a floral gilt border having coloured flowers, fans and decorative roundels while the base is finished with scrolling gilt vines and a geometric border. The Japanese Satsuma Vase is signed to the base with the Shimazu clan emblem and the makers signature for Chikusai 竹斎 and dates to the Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912).
SATSUMA
ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island.
Shimazu Mon
Shimazu 島津 is the name of the clan family that ruled the Satsuma province and the family crest, the Mon is a cross with a circle. The earliest Shimazu Mon was painted in Gosu blue and was believed to be painted in direct relationship to the Shimazu clan and often pre Meiji Period. A mon that is depicted in black, gold or red has no direct link to the Shimazu family and always dates from a period after Edo.
MEIJI PERIOD
was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era.
Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist Namikawa Yasuyuki.
MEASUREMENTS
31cm High x 19cm (12.2 x 7.5 Inches)
CONDITION
Excellent – minor wear / rubbing only
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