Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Floor Vases

About the Item

The vases of large oval form potted from earthenware with pinched neck and base stood upon a splayed circular foot. The vases extensively decorated with a continuous scene with polychrome colours and raised enamels featuring a large central white elephant and various figures. The top and bottom bordered by arched gilt decoration and gilded rims. The bases signed by a three character mark in red 新井造 Arai Zo (made by Arai). The vases date to the Meiji period (1868-1912) and are large in size measuring 46cm High. Meiji Period is 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. Earthenware is glazed or unglazed non-vitreous (absorbs water) pottery that has normally been fired below 1,200 °C (2,190 °F). Basic earthenware is also known as terracotta and it absorbs liquids such as water. Polychrome refers to the practice of decorating objects in a variety of colours. Measurements 46cm High x 30cm

Dimensions:

Height: 18.1 in (45.98 cm)Diameter: 11.8 in (29.98 cm)

Style:

Meiji (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Ceramic,Earthenware,Hand-Carved,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1890