Satsuma vase. Japan, Meiji period (1864-1911). Glazed and gilded ceramic. Signed on the back of the

Satsuma vase. Japan, Meiji period (1864-1911).
Glazed and gilded ceramic.
Signed on the back of the base.
Measurements: 38 cm (height); 18 cm (largest diameter).
The vase is decorated with Buddhist monks (Kannon and Rakan) surrounded by a dragon, all highlighted in gilding.
The ornamentation of this vase defines it as being in the Satsuma style, which was produced from the early 18th century on the island of Kyushu. In the second half of the 18th century it became so popular in Japan that the production centre was moved to Awata, near Kyoto. In the 19th century Satsuma production became known to the West and a large number of pieces were made for export. This is when vases and plates decorated with scenes of geisha or samurai became popular, as until then floral and zoomorphic decoration had predominated. The paste may be porcelain or, more often, a very light, porous, light terracotta. The glaze is feldspathic, mixed with wood ash. The most characteristic feature of Satsuma ware is its decorative richness, sometimes even exaggerated. The motifs are usually painted in gold glaze, a novelty compared to earlier styles. The ornamentation is completed with a wide variety of polychrome glazes: green, red, white, turquoise, pink and, above all, gosu blue, the most sought-after of all, which is very dark and typical of the best Satsuma ware of the 19th century. They are also very thick glazes, sometimes even in relief.