Antique Porcelain Figurine ‘boy With Monkeys’ By Satsuma, Japan, Meiji Period

An antique and rare Japanese Satsuma porcelain figurine, hand-painted, depicting a seated boy with a drum and two monkeys. The piece is beautifully adorned with colored enamels and lavish gilding. One monkey, in its natural color and dressed in a green waistcoat with a floral pattern, rests its hand on the boy's knee, observing him intently. The second monkey, fully gilded and dressed in a purple waistcoat, perches on the boy's shoulder. It seems as though the boy has paused to rest before resuming his street performance with the monkeys.
The figurine highlights the boy’s richly decorated attire, meticulously hand-painted with intricate patterns, showcasing the artistry involved. His kimono, adorned with multi-colored glazed enamel, and his golden cap stand out prominently. The round base is gold-plated along the perimeter, and the bottom is marked with slightly erased "Made in Japan," indicating that this piece was made specifically for export. Satsuma ware originated in Japan during the seventeenth century in the southern region of Kyushu, under the control of the Shimazu clan (Satsuma-han, officially Kagoshima and surrounding areas). Initially, the pottery was quite plain, made from dark clay, in contrast to the more elaborate 19th-century export pieces. Satsuma ware gained international recognition at the 1867 Paris Exposition, where it was a star attraction. This helped establish the aesthetic that became familiar in the West. The export style reflected the tastes of the time, with many pieces featuring typical Japanese scenes such as pagodas, cherry blossoms, birds, flowers, and noblemen in traditional attire.
By the early Meiji period, around 1885, Satsuma ware had reached the peak of its popularity. However, by the 1890s, the market became flooded with cheaper, mass-produced pieces that lacked the quality of earlier works. Although it lost favor with critics, Satsuma ware remained popular with the general public and continued to be produced into the 20th century, with some factories operating until the 1980s. Today, Satsuma products are highly valued in the antique porcelain market, with demand steadily increasing in recent years.
Dimensions: height 13 cm, diameter of the base 8, 5 cm, weight 343 grams.
Condition: slight loss of gilding and paint, otherwise all excellent.
Please review the accompanying photographs carefully, as they are an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.