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Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period
Sold by Gillers Antiques Ltd
Id #SA1094216
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Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

19th century
Sold 8 August 2025 · Gillers Antiques Ltd
This “Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period” found a buyer.

It was listed by Gillers Antiques Ltd. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Antique earthenware hand painted Satsuma Lidded Koro with decorations made in Kinkozan style end of 19th century. This incense burner raised on three pointed feet, with domed cover with spherical gilded finial, above a globular body, decorated with frieze of woman’s figures in scenes of daily life. The piece, artfully decorated by floral patterns in muted colors with gilded handles and feet. The bottom, top edges and the lid are gilded all round. It is typical of intricately decorated Satsuma ware made at kilns in Kyoto during the Meiji period (1868-1912). Although the shape and function of the piece are suited to the Japanese tea ceremony, the use of bright colors and gold made Satsuma ware very popular in the European and American markets. The painting technique employed is called Kyo-Satsuma style and although it's not signed on the bottom, the style is very similar to Kintozan's work. Therefore, we believe that it was made at the Kinkozan factory.

The painting technique used in Kyoto’s Satsuma-style ware was developed by Kinkozan family.Sobei IV Kinkozan Sobei lV Kyoto’s Satsuma-style (1824–1884), was the sixth generation of a family of Kyoto Awataguchi potters with the name Koboyashi. In the 18th century the third Koboyashi was granted by the Shogun to bear the name Kinkozan. Sobei IV was appointed as the official potter for the Tokugawa shogunate and his kiln flourished in those years. But as a result of the Meiji restoration, he lost important clients such as the shogun, daimyo and other nobles who lost their former position or moved to the new capital Edo. To find new customers, he established trade relationships with foreign exporters who lived in Kobe and invested in refining the painting method for pottery and decoration, which ultimately resulted in "Kyo-Satsuma" ware, characterized by delicate, sometimes breathtaking detailed brushwork in multicolored glazes and gold on a crackled ivory white earthenware body.

After the death of Kinkozan Sobei IV, the studio was passed on to his son Kinkozan Sobei V (1868-1927), who further developed the Kyo Satsuma techniques and succeeded in becoming the largest producer of Satsuma ware of that time but also a producer of some of the best quality Satsuma items.

At the 1893 Colombian exhibition in Chicago, Kinkozan Sobei V, was impressed by the new techniques and stylish innovations on Western ceramics. He decided to invest in research and experiments, hired Western scientists to set up new techniques and experiments with materials and employed some of the best artists for new designs and decorations, influenced by the Art Nouveau and later Art Deco movement.

He experimented with monochromes and other new types of decoration on both porcelain and earthenware, and tried out all possible styles, from large palace vases suitable for the old Victorian houses, to miniature items, real gems of only 6 cm high. Some of his best objects were made in the late Meiji and Taisho period. A very high quality object can sometimes take months to realize, and for most of the kilns, studio’s or factories this was no longer a realistic option in a market that was subject to the changing taste of customers and strong competition from hundreds of smaller and larger factories and studios.. The Kinkozan studio closed in 1932 (after the death of Kinkozan VII in 1927).

Dimensions: height 8cm, width 8cm, depth 7 cm.

Condition: minimal loss of enamel on the bases of the legs, where it was in contact with the surface a

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Satsuma Koro to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1094216
Description
Antique earthenware hand painted Satsuma Lidded Koro with decorations made in Kinkozan style end of 19th century.
“
This incense burner raised on three pointed feet, with domed cover with spherical gilded finial, above a globular body, decorated with frieze of woman’s figures in scenes of daily life.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

The piece, artfully decorated by floral patterns in muted colors with gilded handles and feet. The bottom, top edges and the lid are gilded all round. It is typical of intricately decorated Satsuma ware made at kilns in Kyoto during the Meiji period (1868-1912). Although the shape and function of the piece are suited to the Japanese tea ceremony, the use of bright colors and gold made Satsuma ware very popular in the European and American markets. The painting technique employed is called Kyo-Satsuma style and although it's not signed on the bottom, the style is very similar to Kintozan's work. Therefore, we believe that it was made at the Kinkozan factory.

fig 1. An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
fig 1. Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

The painting technique used in Kyoto’s Satsuma-style ware was developed by Kinkozan family.Sobei IV Kinkozan Sobei lV Kyoto’s Satsuma-style (1824–1884), was the sixth generation of a family of Kyoto Awataguchi potters with the name Koboyashi. In the 18th century the third Koboyashi was granted by the Shogun to bear the name Kinkozan. Sobei IV was appointed as the official potter for the Tokugawa shogunate and his kiln flourished in those years. But as a result of the Meiji restoration, he lost important clients such as the shogun, daimyo and other nobles who lost their former position or moved to the new capital Edo. To find new customers, he established trade relationships with foreign exporters who lived in Kobe and invested in refining the painting method for pottery and decoration, which ultimately resulted in "Kyo-Satsuma" ware, characterized by delicate, sometimes breathtaking detailed brushwork in multicolored glazes and gold on a crackled ivory white earthenware body.

fig 2. An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
fig 2. Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

After the death of Kinkozan Sobei IV, the studio was passed on to his son Kinkozan Sobei V (1868-1927), who further developed the Kyo Satsuma techniques and succeeded in becoming the largest producer of Satsuma ware of that time but also a producer of some of the best quality Satsuma items.

fig 3. An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
fig 3. Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

At the 1893 Colombian exhibition in Chicago, Kinkozan Sobei V, was impressed by the new techniques and stylish innovations on Western ceramics. He decided to invest in research and experiments, hired Western scientists to set up new techniques and experiments with materials and employed some of the best artists for new designs and decorations, influenced by the Art Nouveau and later Art Deco movement.

fig 4. An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
fig 4. Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

He experimented with monochromes and other new types of decoration on both porcelain and earthenware, and tried out all possible styles, from large palace vases suitable for the old Victorian houses, to miniature items, real gems of only 6 cm high. Some of his best objects were made in the late Meiji and Taisho period. A very high quality object can sometimes take months to realize, and for most of the kilns, studio’s or factories this was no longer a realistic option in a market that was subject to the changing taste of customers and strong competition from hundreds of smaller and larger factories and studios.. The Kinkozan studio closed in 1932 (after the death of Kinkozan VII in 1927).

Dimensions: height 8cm, width 8cm, depth 7 cm.

Condition: minimal loss of enamel on the bases of the legs, where it was in contact with the surface a

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Satsuma Koro to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1094216
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , C. Meiji Period

Archive II An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View II
Archive III An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View III
Archive IV An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View IV
Archive V An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View V
Archive VI An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View VI
Archive VII An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View VII
Archive VIII An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View VIII
Archive IX An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View IX
Archive X An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View X
Archive XI An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View XI
Archive XII An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 398
Items Sold 580
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
398
Sold
580
An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
Antique Hand Painted Satsuma Koro, Kintozan Style , c. Meiji Period
Ref: SA1094216
An antique hand-painted Satsuma koro with figural scenes, floral motifs, and gold gilding on a transparent acrylic stand.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectIncense Burners
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMeiji Period
  • MaterialCeramic, Earthenware, Gold Leaf, Enamel
  • ColourMulticoloured
  • MotifsFigural scenes, Floral patterns, Raised gold gilding, Crackle glaze

A Satsuma koro is a traditional Japanese incense burner originating from the Satsuma province, characterised by its distinctive earthenware body and used historically in religious ceremonies, tea houses, and scholars studies.

Satsuma ware is traditionally crafted from a clay body covered with a clear crackle glaze, then meticulously hand-painted using iron-oxide pigments, enamels, and heavy raised gold gilding.

Authentic pieces from the Meiji period typically feature fine, even crazing in the glaze, intricate hand-painted figural or floral motifs, delicate gold detailing, and often include artist or kiln signatures on the base.

An antique koro can be displayed as a focal point on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or console table, paired with neutral textures and minimalist surroundings to highlight its intricate craftsmanship.

Preserve antique ceramics by keeping them out of direct sunlight, dusting gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth, and avoiding chemical cleaners or immersion in water to protect the delicate glaze and gold leaf.
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