SALE Beautiful Antique Genuine Satsuma Belt Buckle

Jewelry : Antique : Fine

 

I love anything Satsuma --whether it be vases, buttons, jewelry, or in this case, a belt buckle.

The images are always so soft and delicate looking, and the gold always lends such a lovely warm feel. This gorgeous old belt buckle is a terrific study of flowers and their soft colours; graceful powder blue and shades of sweet peach-apricot.

The gold leaf applied to the surface of the pin and around its edges is nothing short of stunning. What a controlled hand the maker must have had to produce so many tiny details!

Traditional Satsuma pottery was first made around the beginning of the 17th century. It is generally a glazed, high-fired earthenware with a fine crackle on the surface. It normally has a cream color backdrop, although it can have a darker glaze. Floral designs were common.

The buckle measures almost 2" and weighs 29.3 grams. I'm not sure what the metal is, but it looks like a gold-washed silver base.

Condition of the buckle is very, very good. All pottery is fragile and vulnerable to cracks; this piece does have slight wear due to age and use.

There are 2 rough spots on the outer edge where the pottery has worn off, but they are very small and not readily noticeable. To me it looks like vintage wear, which in my opinion, adds to the overall beauty of the piece.

There is a stamp on the back of the buckle in Japanese. I don't know what it means. From my readings of Satsuma I have learned that dating pieces is very difficult.

However, there are a few clues: earlier Satsuma pieces show much more painstaking and detailed work than the later ones.

Encrustations of gold are characteristic of the older types: they stand out from the surface and can be readily felt as well as seen.

Satsuma ware of more recent origin often lack the small gold stipplings that characterize the background of the older pieces. Even if they are present, they are usually dabbled on with less care, as are other gilded portions.

That said, I would guess this buckle dates to about 1890-1910.

Item ID: 907