Pair of gold and polychrome enameled Satsuma faience lamps, late 19th century

Pair of lamps composed of two ovoid ceramic vases decorated with polychrome enamels on a white background. Body adorned with large cartouches representing on one-side samurais on landscapes and on the other side, dignitaries on interior places. Scenes are framed by abstracts and geometric pattern, with various shapes and enamel colors on various shades of red and orange. Numerous gilt highlights that give to this Satsuma type the name of « brocade ».
Asian style chiseled and gilt bronze mount with a round openwork base standing on four legsruyi clouds shaped and scalloped foliage pattern near the neck.
Ceramic from Satsuma ovens, MEIJI Period (1868-1912), gilt bronze mount from the late 19th century (former petrol lamp).
New and functional electrical system.

Satsuma earthenware appeared at the 16th century in Japan on Satsuma lands. This kind of ceramics is characterized by a wide range of shapes evolving through time and ovens used. Two types of Satsuma exist: White background Satsuma and black background.  Blacks were more frequently used for tea ceremonies and keeping some liquids such alcohols. Satsuma potters developed circa 1800 a sophisticated polychrome enamel technique in orange and red shades and quickly add into it gilt highlights, the whole ensemble was later the most Satsuma style known, named the  « Brocade », widely produced during the MEIJI period (1868-1912).
Decorative patterns are inspired by Kano school paintings in vegetal, animals and human representations but are also combined with abstract geometrical patterns. The composition is often emphasis without a lot of space and loves to play with accumulation of enamels and gilt highlights, conveying a certain way of richness to the ware.
Japanese items are exposed for the 1st time in a main Occidental exhibition during the Exposition Universelle of 1867 and the Satsuma’s earthenware have a lot of success and are very much represented during the 1878 edition.
Satsuma’s earthenware are still produced today, in the respect of tradition and quality that made Satsuma one of the most important Japanese ceramics reference.