Table lamp - Ceramic - Vintage Japanese Satsuma

Vintage Japanese Satsuma Style Moriage Porcelain Table Lamp Kannon Lotus Gilt

An elegant vintage table lamp made from a hand-decorated Japanese porcelain vase. It’s painted in the Satsuma style with raised moriage enamel and rich gilding, and topped with its original pleated fabric shade.

Shōwa period (1926–1989) circa 1960s

The vase
The front shows a serene female figure, in the style of the Buddhist goddess Kannon. She is framed by a gilded halo with radiating golden lines, and below her is a stylised black-and-gold lotus flower, a traditional Buddhist symbol of purity. On the side, a coiling dragon with green scales winds around the vase.

The decoration is built up in moriage, small raised dots of enamel and gold that you can feel under your fingers. It is combined with crisp black outlines and areas of cream, black and terracotta red. The shoulder is a matt chocolate brown with a row of tiny gilt dots. A gold-on-red wave pattern runs around the base, which ends in a gilded foot rim.

Mark: Red mark on the base, “JAPAN / FOREIGN”, inside a ribbon banner. This kind of export mark was used on Japanese porcelain made for Western markets in the early 20th century. A remnant of an old paper label is also visible.

The lamp

Working: tested and lights up, bulb included
Original vintage pleated drum shade in cream fabric, with braided gold trim at the top and bottom
The vase was converted into a lamp. The wiring and plug are vintage.
Condition

Vase: good vintage condition, with gilding and enamel well preserved. Light wear and surface dirt on the unglazed foot rim, consistent with age.
Shade: the outer pleated fabric and trim are in decent condition, but the inner fabric of the shade needs restoration in some places. It can be re-lined or replaced to suit your taste.
Please see all photos, as they are part of the description.
Dimensions: Total height 46 cm · vase height 22 cm · shade diameter 26 cm · shade height 22 cm

A charming vintage piece that combines Japanese decorative art with classic mid-century lighting. It works well on a bedside table, a desk or a sideboard, or in an Asian-inspired or eclectic interior.