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ID #SA1139952
FOR SALE
£2,000
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Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, C.1880
For sale by Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €2,340     $2,540
£2,000
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
Browse dealers 398 items
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Id #SA1139952
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Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, C.1880

19th century
Description

A rare, museum-quality Japanese Satsuma garlic head vase from the Meiji period (circa 1880). This exceptionally large vase, standing 46 cm tall, exceeds the dimensions typical of export ceramics of the period, indicating it was crafted for an affluent collector or prestigious display.

Finely decorated in vibrant polychrome enamels and lavish moriage raised gilding, it features intricate scenes of samurai processions and courtly life against scenic landscapes. The neck is adorned with dense floral and geometric motifs, exemplary of Kyoto-style craftsmanship. The finely crackled glaze with a subtle yellow hue further authenticates its traditional Satsuma origin.

Dimensions: Height: 46 cm | Diameter: 22 cm | Weight: 2769 g

Condition: Excellent antique condition, minimal gilding wear. No chips, cracks, or restorations.

Professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide shipping included.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Japanese Satsuma Garlic Vase to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1139952
Description
A rare, museum-quality Japanese Satsuma garlic head vase from the Meiji period (circa 1880).
“
This exceptionally large vase, standing 46 cm tall, exceeds the dimensions typical of export ceramics of the period, indicating it was crafted for an affluent collector or prestigious display.
Gillers Antiques Ltd
fig 1. A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.
fig 1. Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, C.1880

Finely decorated in vibrant polychrome enamels and lavish moriage raised gilding, it features intricate scenes of samurai processions and courtly life against scenic landscapes. The neck is adorned with dense floral and geometric motifs, exemplary of Kyoto-style craftsmanship. The finely crackled glaze with a subtle yellow hue further authenticates its traditional Satsuma origin.

fig 2. A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.
fig 2. Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, C.1880

Dimensions: Height: 46 cm | Diameter: 22 cm | Weight: 2769 g

Condition: Excellent antique condition, minimal gilding wear. No chips, cracks, or restorations.

Professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide shipping included.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Japanese Satsuma Garlic Vase to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1139952
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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A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.
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Archive I A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.

Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, C.1880

Archive II A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View II
Archive III A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View III
Archive IV A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View IV
Archive V A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View V
Archive VI A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View VI
Archive VII A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View VII
Archive VIII A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View VIII
Archive IX A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View IX
Archive X A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View X
Archive XI A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View XI
Archive XII A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
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
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
398
Sold
580
A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.
Large Antique Japanese Satsuma Garlic Head Vase, Samurai Scenes, Meiji, c.1880
Ref: SA1139952
A Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase featuring a bulbous garlic-shaped mouth, intricate gilded borders, and painted panels depicting samurai warriors.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVases
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMeiji Period
  • MaterialEarthenware, Enamel, Gold Leaf
  • ColourGold, Cream
  • MotifsGarlic mouth, Samurai panels, Brocade gilding, Crackle glaze

This large Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase dates from the Meiji period around 1880. The vessel takes the form of a garlic head design with a bulbous mouth, an elongated neck, and a rounded body resting on a circular base. It displays a cream-coloured ground covered in a finely crackled glaze, heavily enriched with vibrant polychrome enamels, raised moriage gilding, and intricate brocade patterns. The painted decoration comprises detailed panels depicting samurai warriors in outdoor landscape scenes, interspersed with dense geometric and floral motifs along the neck and borders. Standing 46 cm tall with a 22 cm diameter, the vase weighs 2769 g and remains in excellent antique condition with minimal gilding wear and no chips or cracks. In a contemporary interior, this piece sits appropriately on a sideboard top or within a gentleman's library display.

FAQs

Satsuma ware is a style of Japanese earthenware ceramics that originated in the Satsuma province during the late sixteenth century. By the Meiji period, production expanded into major trade centres like Kyoto and Yokohama, producing pieces decorated with intricate overglaze enamels, heavy gilding, and finely crazed cream glazes aimed primarily at Western export markets.

Satsuma ceramics are created from a yellowish earthenware clay body covered with a light lead glaze that develops fine surface crackle. The surface decoration relies on mineral-based overglaze enamels for rich red, green, and blue colours, alongside thick gold leaf or metallic paint for detailed gilding.

Authentic Meiji era Satsuma pieces typically exhibit a distinct cream-coloured body with uniform crackle glazing, dense figurative or geometric painting, and tactile raised gilding. Many authentic examples feature maker marks in iron-red or gold on the base, often accompanied by the Shimazu family crest, which resembles a cross within a circle.

A Satsuma vase functions as an ornamental statement piece on a sideboard, mantlepiece, or central entry console. Pairing its warm cream and gold tones with dark hardwood furniture, minimalist neutral backdrops, or structured modern brass accents allows the detailed historical enamelwork to stand out.

To preserve delicate overglaze enamels and gilding, wipe the ceramic surface gently with a dry, soft microfiber cloth. Avoid immersing the piece in water, using liquid detergents, or applying abrasive materials, as moisture can penetrate the crackle glaze and loosen gold foil detailing.
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