An exceptional and heavily potted Japanese Satsuma earthenware box and cover dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912), a piece of striking decorative strength and unusually solid presence. With its generous weight, refined painting and richly worked gilding, this is far above the level of an ordinary export trinket and presents as a serious cabinet object of both artistic and collector appeal.The domed cover is superbly hand-painted with a vivid and highly detailed composition of Rakan, or Buddhist sages, each figure rendered with expressive individuality, elaborate halos and finely observed drapery. The decoration is executed in richly layered polychrome enamels with extensive gilding, all set against a dramatic dark midnight-blue ground. This ground is densely enlivened with fine gold stippling, creating a luxurious shimmering surface associated with high-grade Satsuma production of the Meiji era.The sides are decorated with elegant trailing foliage and stylised ornamental moti...