Meiji Period White Satsuma Vase, Shiro Satsuma With Rakan And Court Scenes C. 1890

Meiji Period White Satsuma Vase – Buddhist and Courtly Panels, Gilded Shiro Satsuma, c. 1890s

We are pleased to offer this exceptional White Satsuma (Shiro Satsuma, 白薩摩) vase from the Meiji period (circa late 19th century), showcasing the refined artistry and elevated aesthetic that made Satsuma ware a favourite among Japanese nobility and samurai households. This piece combines delicate hand-painted enamel work with rich raised gilt detailing and narrative scenes, exemplifying the finest traditions of Kagoshima-region porcelain.

Design Features

The vase is of elegant square-tapered form with a flared rim and foot, designed to enhance the height and vertical rhythm of the piece. It features four elaborately decorated panels, each distinct in theme yet unified by superb craftsmanship:

• Two Panels – Buddhist Rakan (Arhat) Scenes: These panels depict a gathering of Buddhist saints with serene expressions, rendered with meticulous brushwork and raised gilt decoration. Each figure is surrounded by golden halos and draped in richly patterned robes, seated within mountainous temple landscapes.

• Two Panels – Aristocratic Court Life: The other panels portray noble men, women, and children engaged in refined social activities. Attention to facial expression, garment design, and ornamentation is exceptional, creating a dynamic narrative window into Meiji-period aristocratic culture.

The shoulder and neck are enveloped in an intricate arrangement of gilded geometric and botanical motifs, including fan shapes and floral elements—hallmarks of the late-Meiji aesthetic. The vase's classic craquelure glaze and raised enamel work provide texture and depth throughout.

Marks and Provenance

To the base is a raised black and gold cartouche bearing the inscription 薩摩焼 (Satsuma-yaki), confirming the ware type. Above this sits the Shimazu mon (a circle enclosing a cross), symbol of the influential Shimazu family of Kagoshima, under whose patronage Satsuma ware flourished during the Edo and Meiji periods.

Measurements

Condition

Excellent condition overall. Gilding and enamel colours remain vivid, with only minor rubbing to the rim and light enamel loss visible under magnification, both consistent with age and handling. The glaze crackle is typical of authentic Meiji-period Satsuma and contributes to the surface’s depth and character.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Collector's Notes

Shiro Satsuma vases from the Meiji era featuring narrative figural scenes and fine raised gold detailing are highly desirable and increasingly rare on the international market. The combination of religious iconography and aristocratic genre scenes, especially in white-ground enamel, is prized among collectors in Japan, China, Europe, and North America.

For further reading and reference:

• 『薩摩焼大全』 – Kagoshima Prefectural Library (Satsuma Ware Encyclopaedia)

• 『日本陶磁大辞典』 – Tōkyō Bijutsu (Encyclopaedia of Japanese Ceramics)

• 『明治工芸の美』 – Kyoto National Museum (The Beauty of Meiji Crafts)

Shipping & Packaging

• This item will be carefully packed, tracked, and insured for safe global delivery.

• Shipping cost includes professional packaging, labour, and carrier fees.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.