Vase - Earthenware - Japan (No reserve price)

Magnificent pair of Japanese faience vases in the Satsuma style, probably dating from the early 20th century (Taishō period to early Shōwa), with richly hand-painted polychrome scenes of traditional figurative subjects. These two vases, tall with long, slender necks atop globular bodies, each bear a distinct signature under their foot, indicating a carefully controlled and individualized Japanese artisanal production.

Each vase offers an elegant and balanced form: a bulbous, globular body topped by a long cylindrical neck, lending the piece a graceful and elongated profile. The principal decoration covers the body across its full width, depicting scenes of figures in traditional dress moving through a lively landscape of flowers, vegetation and stylized figurative elements, painted with polychrome enamels and gilded highlights on a cream glaze finely crazed, characteristic of Japanese Satsuma pottery. The neck collars and the shoulder areas are also adorned with refined floral motifs and gold inlays, creating a rich visual contrast between the narrative scenes and the decorative panels.

The overall condition of this set is excellent. The first vase shows a discreet restoration at the upper edge of the neck—a small blemish that has been carefully touched up, in display that is almost invisible to the naked eye; while the second vase is perfectly intact, with no chips or cracks. The enamels and gilding retain their brilliance and depth, without noticeable alterations; the signatures under the bases, clearly legible, attest to the authenticity and Japanese origin of these pieces.

This type of hand-decorated earthenware is part of the long tradition of Japanese ceramics exported and produced for both domestic and international markets from the end of the Meiji era (1868–1912), through the Taisho period (1912–1926), and into the early Shōwa era (from 1926 onward). The Satsuma workshops — a name today used generically for this style — developed at the turn of the 20th century an international reputation thanks to their finely etched decorations, their figurative panoramas, and their delicate gilding, reflecting a highly developed artisanal know-how in Japanese decorative ceramics.

The average dimensions are:
- Height: 21 centimeters,
Width: 8 centimeters.
- Upper diameter: 2.3 centimeters,
- Base diameter: 6.2 centimeters,
- Total weight of the set: 500 grams.

Each of the two vases will be individually packed with great care and the whole will be shipped promptly in a secure insured manner. In-store pickup and combined delivery are available. The photos are part of the description.