1880's Meiji Period Satsuma Dragon Teapot with holy men

We offer this fine antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Kyoto lidded teapot decorated with a dragon curled between eleven Immortals and dating around 1880. This well decorated earthenware teapot stands on a narrow rounded unglazed foot with a recessed base and is of rounded shape with the dragon tail forming the handle and the neck and head forming the pouring spout. The teapot has a further smaller dragon forming the finial to the cover. The body of the teapot has a textured stipple finish and is hand decorated with eleven immortals or holy men set within a typical landscape and continuous around the body. The dragon has a grey scale design to the body with moulded and painted facial features and with gilded highlights. The teapot has a well defined character mark painted to the base.

The teapot is offered in fine presentable condition with some light rubbing and with a few minor losses to the pointed elements on the dragons head to the cover and to the spout. These certainly do not detract. A stunning example and a wonderful display piece to add to any serious collection!

Size: 17,6 cm height, 18,5 cm width.