Large Meiji Japanese Satsuma Moriage Charger with Peacocks and Wisteria

Details

Description

This magnificent large Japanese Satsuma charger is a refined and highly decorative example of late Meiji-period ceramic art, combining impressive … Read more This magnificent large Japanese Satsuma charger is a refined and highly decorative example of late Meiji-period ceramic art, combining impressive scale, rich surface texture and a beautifully balanced naturalistic composition. The charger is decorated with two peacocks among flowering peonies, trailing wisteria, blossom branches, small birds and stylised rocks, creating a luxurious garden scene full of movement, colour and symbolic elegance.

The quality of execution is especially notable. The principal peacock is treated with exceptional care: its long tail feathers are built up with raised moriage work, fine gilt linework and carefully placed white and gold details. The body and neck feathers are individually articulated, while the surrounding flowers and foliage are enriched with delicate gilded outlines. The whole surface has the refined visual density expected from a skilled Japanese Satsuma workshop, yet the composition remains elegant and spacious rather than overcrowded.

The underside bears a gilt-on-brown rectangular mark with the Shimazu mon above the characters 薩摩, reading Satsuma. This mark does not identify an individual artist, but it confirms the object’s Satsuma identity within the Japanese export tradition. The style, body, glaze, moriage technique and decoration are consistent with late Meiji to early Taishō production, circa 1890–1915.

A large, elegant and technically accomplished Satsuma charger of excellent decorative quality and outstanding display value.

Measurements

Diameter: 31 cm (12.2″)
Height: 4.8 cm (1.9″)
Weight: 1379 g

Condition

Excellent antique condition. UV checked. No restoration, no cracks and no structural damage. The raised decoration and gilded details remain highly attractive and visually strong. See less