A Japanese Satsuma pottery bowl of rounded square section with steep sides raised on a low, cylindrical foot, decorated in rich overglaze enamels and gilding with a spotted blue Shishi amid elaborate peonies, the exterior with prunus, chrysanthemum, iris and other flowers, the base inscribed "Satsuma yaki Kosai" with a kakihan

Date
1890-1900

Size : L. 12 cm. ( 423/32" ) x B. 12 cm. ( 4 23/32" ) x H. 6.5 cm. ( 2 9/16" ).

Condition : excellent.

A very elegant and attractive little example of what is called "Gosu Satsuma" referring to the use of the very rich, thickly applied blue enamel. The inscription transliterates as meaning "Satsuma pottery, made by Kosai". The red character at the end is a "kakihan", a kind of rebus peculiar to every individual artist. Above the inscription can be seen a cross within a circle. This is the "Mon" or family crest of the Shimazu family who controlled the Satsuma region from the 17th Century until the Meiji revolution.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR OUR OWN SATISFACTION THIS PIECE WAS INDEPENDENTLY ASSESSED BY A LONDON FIRM OF ANTIQUE APPRAISERS. ANY PURCHASER OF THE PIECE WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE REPORT. IT VERIFIES THAT STATED HEREIN.