Pair of Antique Japanese Satsuma Hand-Painted Ceramic Vases – Twin-Handled Figural & Floral Motif

This vibrant pair of antique Japanese Satsuma pottery vases features traditional double-handled forms with rich hand-painted enamel and gilded decoration. Designed with distinct front and reverse artistic panels, these vases display classic late Meiji to Taisho era Japanese ceramic artistry.

• Front Panel Decoration: Detailed figurative scene depicting a traditional Japanese lady (bijin) and attendant in elaborate kimono under parasols, set against a landscape background with raised moriage enamel and gilded accents.

• Reverse Panel Decoration: Hand-painted autumn floral and leaf motif set against the characteristic cream-colored, finely crackled Satsuma glaze.

• Form & Trim: Tapered baluster body featuring two dark glazed side handles with gilded highlights, a flared rim, and dark accent borders around the top and foot rim.

• Condition: Fair to good antique condition. Displays expected age-related wear, light rubbing to gold gilt, surface marks, glaze crazing, and minor loss to raised enamel (moriage) consistent with period age.

History

Satsuma ware originated in the Satsuma province of southern Kyushu, Japan, during the late 16th century. By the late 19th-century Meiji period (1868–1912), Satsuma pottery became one of Japan's premier artistic exports to Europe and North America. Renowned for its distinctive pale ivory or yellowish earthenware body, fine spider-web glaze crazing (kannyu), and lavish overglaze enamel painting—often featuring gold gilt, figures, and floral compositions—Satsuma pottery remains a highly collectible staple of Asian decorative arts.

Dimensions

• Height: ~10.0 – 12.0 inches

• Width (Handle to Handle): ~5.5 – 6.5 inches

• Rim Diameter: ~3.5 – 4.0 inches

• Base Diameter: ~3.0 – 3.5 inches

• Total Weight (Pair): ~3.0 – 5.0 lbs