Satsuma earthenware lamp, polychrome and gilt decor, last 19th century

Satsuma earthenware lamp in baluster shape with polychrome enamels decoration on a white background mounted with chiseled and gilt bronze. Openwork decorated base standing on four small feet.

Enamelled decor on the body of the lamp with large cartouches showing on one side men around a table in a mountains landscape and on the other side merchants of fabrics and ceramic in the same landscape. Scenes framed by geometrical motifs, small flowers and chrysanthemum in orange, blue and grey tones. Many gilt highlights.

Work realized at the end of the 19^th century.

New and functional electric system.

Satsuma earthenware appeared in 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, that were more frequently used for tea ceremonies and keeping some liquids such as alcohols. Satsuma potters developed circa 1800 a sophisticated polychrome enamels 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 an accumulation of enamels and gilt highlights, conveying a certain way of richness to the ware.
Japanese items are exposed for the first time in an important Occidental exhibition during the Universal Exhibition in 1867 and the Satsuma’s earthenware has a lot of success and is very much represented during the 1878 edition.
Satsuma’s earthenware is still produced today, in the respect of tradition and quality that made Satsuma one of the most important Japanese ceramics reference.