Up for sale this fabulous rare and huge Antique Japanese Satsuma Deep Plate or Charger, dating from the late nineteenth century / Meiji Period c.1880.

The charger is amazing, decorated with a hand painted scene of a winged male immortal towering over a geisha arranging flowers at a table. The decoration is of the highest quality with overglaze enamels over thetraditional finely crazed creamy beige Satsuma body, with moriage enamelling (very fine enamel dots making up areas of colour) and heavy quality gilding.

The charger has lovely gilded scrolling borders with raised enamelling and moriage decoration.

The detail is amazing, and it is very unusual to get a piece of this size in satsuma due to the amount of time it took to paint in this extremely detailed manner.

The reverse of the plate has a wide unglazed portion which shows the colour of the body when fired. The plate is signed in gold to the front, by the artist / decorator.

Condition - the plate has had damage to one side, which has been repaired in the nineteenth century with staples - this is a method of ceramic repair which pretty much died out by 1900 when better adhesives became available. The peices are pretty much all there, and this could easily be restored or left alone as it displays well. Its worth remembering that in perfect condition this plate would have a price in the thousands so it represents an amazing oppurtunity for someone to pick up a piece like this for much less.

Measurements a massive 15\" diameter by 3\" tall approx

Please bear in mind when offerding this is a very large piece of pottery and is heavy - hence the shipping will be in line with the weight and size of the item when packed.

Satsuma wares – a fine Earthenware with a distinctive cream-coloured ground and delicately crazed Glaze decorated with Overglaze Enamel and Gilding. From the 1870s, Japanese craftsmen had to look for new markets for their wares. They were encouraged to sell their wares to the West and Satsuma wares were exhibited at a series of international exhibitions. The subsequent export wares created a demand for more affordable, gaudier Satsuma.

The best quality pieces dating from the early Meiji period (1868-1912) represent the pinnacle of Satsuma production. They took months to make with the result that Satsuma wares were prohibitively expensive to all but the very wealthy at home and abroad.

Most Satsuma artists bought glazed blanks from potters which they decorated freehand with traditional Japanese motifs and patterns such as foliage and flowers (frequently chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, lotus flowers and leaves, prunus blossom and bamboo); landscapes (dragons, lions and unicorns); real and mythical birds; and human figures engaged in ceremonial, military or everyday domestic activities. The scenes are usually surrounded by densely filled borders of flowers such as peonies or diaper or Fretwork designs

Essentially a painting in miniature, it was carried out by artists who served a long apprenticeship, many of whom went on to set up their own workshops

Although the top Satsuma craftsmen catered for the aristocracy, many began to make pieces for several different markets, while others took the work of the best craftsmen and imitated it, making it available to a wider audience.
The result was often inexpensive and decorated with over-crowded designs in garish polychrome enamels and plenty of gilding – a glitzy interpretation of traditional Japanese designs.

Please ask all questions before offerding and take time to view the images as they do form part of the description. If you need any further images we will try to help you so please feel free to ask.

Payment

All items to be paid by Paypal including items for collection unless other arrangements are agreed before the end of the sale.

Shipping

We aim to ship quickly and schedule our items to end at times when we can achieve this. Please bear in mind that if you choose to delay payment for a few days you may miss a shipping run.

We aim to source the best Shipping Price possible and do not aim to make a profit on shipping, however please bear in mind shipping and packing materials are expensive, plus now charges fees / commission on shipping charges as well as the sale price.

We pack well and damage is rare, however should your item be damaged in transit please notify us within 24 hours of receipt and keep all packaging. Damage claims will be dealt with by Insurance.

For international buyers it is often helpful to have a phone number to pass to our couriers.

response

We aim for 5 stars response. If you are dissatisfied with your item or the service you have received we would appreciate the opportunity to resolve before receiving negative response.