19th century/Meiji period Japanese Satsuma ceramic tokkuri - sake bottle - with enamel decoration of a sitting actor with a hat in front of him, and another standing actor who, from the look of his wig, is playing a part of a shojo. Shojo are mythical creatures living near the sea, and are particularly fond of sake. Superb quality detailed painting, fantastic depiction of richly decorated robes. Typical Satsuma earthenware body, beautiful finely crackled glaze, tiny golden lacquer repair to the ...click for details
19th century/Meiji period Japanese Satsuma ceramic tokkuri - sake bottle - with enamel decoration of an actor dressed as an armed samurai wearing an angry mask, and a kneeling man on the other side of the bottle. Excellent quality detailed painting, great face. Typical Satsuma earthenware body, beautiful finely crackled glaze, signed BIZAN on the bottom. There is also a 2-character inscription on the side by the bottom - most probably it is the name of the play in which painted figures are actin ...click for details
Early Taisho period (1910s) Japanese Satsuma ceramic yunomi (tea cup) with painted enamel decoration of a bird in flight by red maple tree with a landscape in the background. Unusually high quality detailed painting for that type of Satsuma - see fine detailing of feathers and leaves. Typical Satsuma earthenware body, beautiful finely crackled glaze. Marked on the bottom with the mon (crest) of the Shimazu family and signed in a rectangular reserve HOKUZAN. Overall in excellent condition. Diame ...click for details
19th century/Meiji period Japanese small Satsuma ceramic teapot with cover. The body is painted with 2 scenes of a bamboo grove and various flowers and morning mist painted with gold enamel, with design continuing on the cover. No chips, cracks or repairs. Excellent quality decoration in Japanese taste, typical Satsuma earthenware body, beautiful finely crackled glaze. Signed on the bottom KIYOMIZU TOMONICHI (alternative reading of the last 2 characters is Chojitsu). Some wear to golden enamel s ...click for details
