Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
We are pleased to offer this exceptional White Satsuma (Shiro Satsuma, ???) vase from the Meiji period (circa late 19th century), showcasing the refined artistry and elevated aesthetic that made Satsuma ware a favourite among Japanese nobility and samurai households.
Design Features
The vase is of elegant square-tapered form with a flared rim and foot, designed to enhance the height and vertical rhythm of the piece. It features four elaborately decorated panels, each distinct in theme yet unified by superb craftsmanship:
Two Panels – Buddhist Rakan (Arhat) Scenes: These panels depict a gathering of Buddhist saints with serene expressions, rendered with meticulous brushwork and raised gilt decoration. Each figure is surrounded by golden halos and draped in richly patterned robes, seated within mountainous temple landscapes.
Two Panels – Aristocratic Court Life: The other panels portray noble men, women, and children engaged in refined social activities. Attention to facial expression, garment design, and ornamentation is exceptional, creating a dynamic narrative window into Meiji-period aristocratic culture.
The shoulder and neck are enveloped in an intricate arrangement of gilded geometric and botanical motifs, including fan shapes and floral elements—hallmarks of the late-Meiji aesthetic. The vase's classic craquelure glaze and raised enamel work provide texture and depth throughout.
Marks and Provenance
To the base is a raised black and gold cartouche bearing the inscription ??? (Satsuma-yaki), confirming the ware type. Above this sits the Shimazu mon (a circle enclosing a cross), symbol of the influential Shimazu family of Kagoshima, under whose patronage Satsuma ware flourished during the Edo and Meiji periods.
Measurements
Height: 18.8 cm
Width/Depth: 7 × 7 cm
Weight: 585 g
Condition
Excellent condition overall. Gilding and enamel colours remain vivid, with only minor rubbing to the rim and light enamel loss visible under magnification, both consistent with age and handling. The glaze crackle is typical of authentic Meiji-period Satsuma and contributes to the surface’s depth and character.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
Collector's Notes
Shiro Satsuma vases from the Meiji era featuring narrative figural scenes and fine raised gold detailing are highly desirable and increasingly rare on the international market. The combination of religious iconography and aristocratic genre scenes, especially in white-ground enamel, is prized among collectors in Japan, China, Europe, and North America.
For further reading and reference:
??????? – Kagoshima Prefectural Library (Satsuma Ware Encyclopaedia)
????????? – Tokyo Bijutsu (Encyclopaedia of Japanese Ceramics)
???????? – Kyoto National Museum (The Beauty of Meiji Crafts)
Shipping & Packaging
This item will be carefully packed, tracked, and insured for safe global delivery.
Shipping cost includes professional packaging, labour, and carrier fees.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page
Meiji Period White Satsuma Vase, Shiro Satsuma with Rakan and Court Scenes C. 1890
