Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century The ceramic vessels painted...

Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century
The ceramic vessels painted in polychrome enamels and gilt, comprising a miniature ewer decorated with immortals, signed Satsuma Shozan and with the mark of the Shimazu family; a square-sided incense burner painted with circular panels of blossoming flowers against a ground of floral vines, the pierced cover with a chrysanthemum finial; a circular box and cover set on three feet and painted with immortals and their attendants, inscribed Satsuma and with the mark of the Shimazu family; a small bowl painted with beauties engaged in various activities against a silver ground, signed Hododa and with the mark of the Shimazu family; a pair of miniature bottle vases painted with immortals and courtiers, signed Meizan tsukuru and with the mark of the Shimazu family; the rectangular porcelain incense burner with two panels containing the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, and a temple pavilion ain a mountainous landscape, the surrounding areas painted with scrolling vines, the pierced cover with a gourd finial, signed on the underside Kutani Bizan; the lacquer cup decorated with a pair of cranes and their young in a gnarled pine tree below a rising sun in iro-e takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and gold foil on a red-lacquer ground, signed on the underside Jukakusai (6)
3 5/8in (9.2cm) diameter, the largest