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ID #SA1216035
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Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period
For sale by Ritas Bazaar
reserved SA1216035
RESERVED

Ritas Bazaar

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2025
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Id #SA1216035
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Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar (Reserved for a buyer)
Description

A highly decorative and finely hand-painted pair of Japanese Satsuma vases, signed for Manpei, Kobe, Japan, dating to the early Showa period, circa 1930s–1940s. The pair is especially attractive for its generous size, balanced proportions and exceptionally detailed hand decoration, with each vase standing 25.5 cm high and weighing over 1 kg.

The bodies are painted with elegant birds among peonies, flowering branches, blue blossoms, grasses and soft landscape forms. The quality of the brushwork is notably high: the birds’ feathers, eyes and breast plumage are carefully rendered with very fine linear detail, while the surrounding flowers and foliage are enriched with dense gilt outlines and small-scale hand-painted accents. The overall effect is rich, refined and highly decorative, with the cream crackle-glazed ground providing the classic Satsuma surface against which the gilding and colours stand out beautifully.

The necks, shoulders and feet are finished with broad gilt bands and intricate red-and-gold ornamental borders. The bases are marked in English “Hand Paint Satsuma / Manpei / Kobe Japan” and with a red square Japanese seal reading 薩摩 / 萬平, Satsuma / Manpei.

Both vases are in excellent condition. The enamel, paintwork and gilding are all very well preserved, with no visible damage, cracks or restoration. This is a strong, complete pair with impressive presence, suitable for a serious Satsuma collection or as a refined decorative statement in an interior.

Measurements

Height: 25.5 cm each (10.0″)

Diameter: 12 cm each (4.7″)

Weight: 1106 g and 1095 g

Condition

Excellent antique condition. The enamel, paintwork and gilding are all very well preserved, with no visible damage, cracks or restoration. A particularly well-preserved and attractive pair.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling and secure postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Physical Dimensions
Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Japanese Satsuma Ceramic Vases to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1216035
Dealers Internal Reference
B1747
Description
A highly decorative and finely hand-painted pair of Japanese Satsuma vases, signed for Manpei, Kobe, Japan, dating to the early Showa period, circa 1930s–1940s.
“
The pair is especially attractive for its generous size, balanced proportions and exceptionally detailed hand decoration, with each vase standing 25.
Ritas Bazaar

5 cm high and weighing over 1 kg.

fig 1. A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
fig 1. Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

The bodies are painted with elegant birds among peonies, flowering branches, blue blossoms, grasses and soft landscape forms. The quality of the brushwork is notably high: the birds’ feathers, eyes and breast plumage are carefully rendered with very fine linear detail, while the surrounding flowers and foliage are enriched with dense gilt outlines and small-scale hand-painted accents. The overall effect is rich, refined and highly decorative, with the cream crackle-glazed ground providing the classic Satsuma surface against which the gilding and colours stand out beautifully.

fig 2. A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
fig 2. Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

The necks, shoulders and feet are finished with broad gilt bands and intricate red-and-gold ornamental borders. The bases are marked in English “Hand Paint Satsuma / Manpei / Kobe Japan” and with a red square Japanese seal reading 薩摩 / 萬平, Satsuma / Manpei.

fig 3. A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
fig 3. Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

Both vases are in excellent condition. The enamel, paintwork and gilding are all very well preserved, with no visible damage, cracks or restoration. This is a strong, complete pair with impressive presence, suitable for a serious Satsuma collection or as a refined decorative statement in an interior.

fig 4. A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
fig 4. Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

Measurements

Height: 25.5 cm each (10.0″)

Diameter: 12 cm each (4.7″)

Weight: 1106 g and 1095 g

Condition

Excellent antique condition. The enamel, paintwork and gilding are all very well preserved, with no visible damage, cracks or restoration. A particularly well-preserved and attractive pair.

fig 5. A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
fig 5. Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling and secure postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Japanese Satsuma Ceramic Vases to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1216035
Dealers Internal Ref
B1747
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

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A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
1 / 11
Archive I A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.

Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period

Archive II A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View II
Archive III A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View III
Archive IV A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View IV
Archive V A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View V
Archive VI A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View VI
Archive VII A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View IX
Archive X A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View X
Archive XI A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes. View XI
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Ritas Bazaar
Telephone 07938 910153
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 262
Items Sold 55
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified
Nov 2025
For Sale
262
Sold
55
A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
Pair of Fine Japanese Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, Early Showa Period
Ref: SA1216035
A pair of baluster-shaped Japanese Satsuma ceramic vases featuring crackle glaze, gilded necks, and detailed hand-painted floral and bird scenes.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVases
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleJapanese Showa Period
  • MaterialEarthenware, Enamel, Gold Leaf
  • ColourCream, Gold, Pink
  • MotifsCrackle glaze, Gilded rims and footrings, Peony and cherry blossom motifs, Polychrome bird enamelling
  • SizeH 25.5 cm (10 in) x W 12 cm (5 in) x D 12 cm (5 in)

This pair of Japanese Satsuma earthenware baluster vases originates from the early Showa period and carries the signature of Manpei, Kobe, Japan. The ceramic bodies possess a cream crackle glaze decorated with polychrome enamel and gold leaf hand-painted scenes featuring birds, peonies, flowering cherry blossom branches, blue blossoms, grasses, and soft landscape forms. Broad gilt bands and intricate red-and-gold ornamental borders finish the necks, shoulders, and footrings. Each piece measures 25.5 cm high and 12 cm wide, possessing a balanced proportion and robust presence. The bases show English script and a red square Japanese seal. The enamel, paintwork, and gilding remain well preserved with no visible damage, cracks, or restoration. Suitable for display on a mantelpiece in a traditional or contemporary living space, these vases add decorative refinement to an interior. They function well as a matched set for a serious Satsuma collection or as standalone focal points on a shelf or sideboard. The rich palette of pink, gold, and multi-coloured enamels contrasts against the light crackle-glazed ground, offering detailed visual interest from every angle.

FAQs

Satsuma ware originated in the Satsuma province during the sixteenth century, recognized by its distinct ivory-coloured crackle glaze and detailed polychrome enamel decoration featuring rich gold gilding.

Satsuma ceramics are crafted from earthenware clay, covered in a lead-based crackle glaze, and hand-decorated using mineral-based coloured enamels alongside gold leaf accents.

Authentic pieces feature finely detailed enamelling, a uniform crackle glaze ground, and specific maker signatures or seals painted or impressed onto the base.

These vessels function as statement focal pieces on sideboards, mantelpieces, or within illuminated display cabinets to highlight their intricate enamelling and gilding.

Dust gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth; avoid moisture or harsh liquid cleaners, as water can penetrate the crackle glaze and destabilise overglaze enamel work.
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