Japanese Kutani-satsuma Style Drum-form Figural Incense Burner with Jurojin & Phoenix, Meiji C.1890

Name: Japanese Kutani-satsuma Style Drum-form Figural Incense Burner with Jurojin & Phoenix, Meiji C.1890
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1139164
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Gillers Antiques Ltd

Description

A very rare Meiji-era Japanese export earthenware incense burner, ca. 1890, merging Satsuma-type crackle glaze with Kutani-style moriage and polychrome enamel. The drum-shaped vessel is supported by two karako boys in symbolic ox-horn hairdos, wearing richly patterned robes—one in green, one in red—each with vivid expressions. The central medallion depicts Jurojin, god of longevity, seated beneath a blooming cherry tree beside a stylized tiger. On the reverse, a gilded phoenix (Ho-o) soars from swirling clouds, embodying immortality and rebirth.

The spherical body is densely decorated with raised enamel, dot gilding, and hand-painted floral arabesques in gold, black, red and green—echoing Yokohama export ware. Inside is a fine crackled Satsuma glaze. Restoration has been carried out on both boys: the green-robed figure’s right hand and head are re-glued, left hand missing, and base chipped; the red-robed figure’s hands and head are glued, with a small base chip and minor enamel loss near the central figure’s hand. Despite these repairs, the masterful modeling and painterly finesse remain extraordinary.

Height 18 cm × Width 20 cm × Depth 13 cm; Weight 1 194 g.

Shipped fully tracked and insured.

Shipping cost includes labour, packaging, and postage.

Please carefully review the accompanying photographs, as they form an integral part of this description. Feel free to ask any questions.

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1139164

Description

A very rare Meiji-era Japanese export earthenware incense burner, ca. 1890, merging Satsuma-type crackle glaze with Kutani-style moriage and polychrome enamel.

“

The drum-shaped vessel is supported by two karako boys in symbolic ox-horn hairdos, wearing richly patterned robes—one in green, one in red—each with vivid expressions.

Gillers Antiques Ltd

The central medallion depicts Jurojin, god of longevity, seated beneath a blooming cherry tree beside a stylized tiger. On the reverse, a gilded phoenix (Ho-o) soars from swirling clouds, embodying immortality and rebirth.

fig 1. Japanese Kutani-Satsuma Style Drum-Form Figural Incense Burner with Jurojin & Phoenix, Meiji c.1890 — fig 1. Japanese Kutani-satsuma Style Drum-form Figural Incense Burner with Jurojin & Phoenix, Meiji C.1890

The spherical body is densely decorated with raised enamel, dot gilding, and hand-painted floral arabesques in gold, black, red and green—echoing Yokohama export ware. Inside is a fine crackled Satsuma glaze. Restoration has been carried out on both boys: the green-robed figure’s right hand and head are re-glued, left hand missing, and base chipped; the red-robed figure’s hands and head are glued, with a small base chip and minor enamel loss near the central figure’s hand. Despite these repairs, the masterful modeling and painterly finesse remain extraordinary.