Japanese Early Showa Satsuma Vases by Manpei, Kobe, 1930s, Set of 2

Details

Description

An elegant and richly decorated pair of Japanese Satsuma vases, signed for Manpei, Kobe, Japan, and dating to the early … Read more An elegant and richly decorated pair of Japanese Satsuma vases, signed for Manpei, Kobe, Japan, and dating to the early Showa period, circa 1930s–1940s. The pair is notable for its generous size, substantial weight and exceptionally detailed hand-painted decoration. Each vase stands 25.5 cm high and weighs just over 1 kg, giving the pair a strong and refined display presence.

The decoration consists of birds among peonies, flowering branches, blue blossoms, grasses and soft landscape elements. The birds are particularly well executed, with carefully rendered feathers, fine linear detail and expressive heads. The surrounding flowers and foliage are painted with precision and enriched with extensive gilding, creating a highly decorative surface with strong visual depth.

The vases have the characteristic cream crackle-glazed Satsuma ground, broad gilt rims, ornate red-and-gold shoulder borders and gilt foot bands. The bases are inscribed in English “Hand Paint Satsuma / Manpei / Kobe Japan” and bear a red square Japanese seal reading 薩摩 / 萬平, Satsuma / Manpei. This identifies them as Kobe Satsuma work by Manpei, produced with a refined export-market presentation.

Both vases are in excellent condition. The enamel, hand-painted decoration and gilding are very well preserved, with no visible cracks, chips or restoration. This is a particularly attractive complete pair, suitable for a collector of Japanese ceramics or for a sophisticated interior where scale, colour and fine craftsmanship are important.

Measurements

Height: 25.5 cm each (10.0″)
Diameter: 12 cm each (4.7″)
Weight: 1106 g and 1095 g

Condition

Excellent condition. The enamel, hand-painted decoration and gilding are very well preserved, with no visible cracks, chips or restoration. A particularly attractive complete pair. See less