South America - Ceramics

Meiji Period (1868-1912) From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Vases. The Satsuma Vase of hexagonal form with a slight waisted neck and tight rounded rim is extensively decorated with multiple figures to two large scenes. The first scene features a beach with waves to the background and a plethora of figures including multiple geisha holding traditional Japanese wagasa’s. The second scene follows on from the first with a large building in the foreground holding figures on a large platform under a pagoda roof with a pagoda building in the background and further figures in the foreground. The scenes are framed by a full detailed border with gilt shapes, flowers amongst pink shaded backgrounds and butterflies around the neck. The Satsuma Vase is unusually signed Fine Art, Satsuma Ware, Dai Nippon (Great Japan), Hattori Made, Gosuido Works, Taizan Painted. 美術, サツマヤキ(薩摩焼), 大日本, 服部造, 五スイ堂工, 對山画 and dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the turn of the 20th century circa 1905. Satsuma ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. Wagasa are traditional Japanese umbrellas made of washi paper attached to a bamboo frame and treated to ensure it is waterproof. 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...

Beautiful set of two matching Qing Dynasty porcelain vases. These vase are both in good condition and add absolute great value to your interior.   

This Pickling Jar was once used to pickle eggs and features a wonderful array of hand-painted motifs which include birds, foliage and other subtle symbols and patterning. The hand-pa...

Classic Chinese blue and white porcelain jardinière with hand painted cobalt decoration. The white porcelain with painted Dragon a...

An exceptional Japanese Satsuma miniature spool shaped pottery teapot and cover finely hand enameled with Kozon mark and dating from around 1880. This delightful teapot has an invers...

Chinese Export Octagonal Plate, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, circa 1790 An exquisite Chinese export octagonal plate from the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong P...

A Fine Japanese Satsuma Vase with Bijin, Peacock, and Chrysanthemums. Attributed to Kinkozan Workshop, Kyoto, Meiji period (late 19th century) Of pear-shaped form with a flared f...

A wonderful green glaze typical of Chinese "Shiwan" pottery adorns this early 20th Century Chinese storage jar. The jar likely occupied a private home to store grains or other househ...

A very exquisite and elaborately detailed collectible antique hand made "A Thousand Faces" Japanese Satsuma earthenware pottery baluster shaped vase features intricately hand painted...

A very large & rare antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Rouleau dragon vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722), the vase dating to the late 1600s. The vase of slightly tapere...

This is an elegant porcelain Chinese export porcelain Bottle Vase raised on a low foot, all hand painted in a blue and white dragon pattern, which we date to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. The vase is fairly large and very well hand potted in a Classic bottle shape on a low foot having a clear white glaze with a light blue tinge. The base is also glazed to the centre and the foot rim has been carefully hand-cut. The vase is finely hand painted in a large range of cobalt blue tones from a light blue to a deep dark, almost black tones of cobalt blue, all around the body with two five toed dragons dancing among clouds. There are border patterns around the foot rim and the lower body all between blue circles with double blue circles just below the top rim. The base has a carefully hand painted underglaze-blue six-character apocryphal Qing - Qianlong ( 1736 to 1795) seal mark, though we date this vase to the mid 20th century. Approximate Weight: about 2.3Kg. unpacked. Overall a beautiful Chinese blue and white hand painted Vase

A magnificent Chinese powder blue glazed porcelain charger with painted gilt decoration, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The large and impressive Chinese porcelain charger gla...