Lot description

SATSUMA WORKS OF ART
Other Properties

A small ovoid Satsuma jar and cover

By Yabu Meizan, Meiji Period
Finely decorated in enamels and gilt with a continuous snow scene of several karako playing along a snow-covered lakeshore with thatched buildings set within mountainous landscape in the distance, one boy walking on stilts, four sheltering in a resting spot, two rolling a snowball, another two boys carrying a tray of fresh snow, others building a snow model of Daruma and a courtesan, the shoulder and foot with bands of geometric motifs, signed on a gilt seal Yabu Meizan. 13.5cm (5¼in) high, including cover. (2).

Footnotes

薩摩　金彩色絵唐子雪遊図花瓶　藪明山作　明治時代

Provenance: Michael Tomkinson (collection no.102), the great-grandfather of the present owner, and thence by descent.

This vase is listed by Michael Tomkinson, A Japanese Collection Made by Michael Tomkinson, London, 1898, vol. 2, p.88, described as ‘102. A covered small vase, oviform; a beautiful example of Meizan’s work in modern Satsuma faïence. A snow scene in heavy white enamel, colours, and gold. Height, 4½”, seal Yabu Meizan. 19th century.’ It is also illustrated in Glendining & Co. Ltd., Catalogue . . . of the Very Important Collection of Japanese Works of Art Formed by the Late Michael Tomkinson, Esq. of Franche Hall, Kidderminster, 3 volumes, 1921-1922, pl. LVI, reproduced by Oliver Impey, Malcolm Fairley, and Tsuyoshi Yamazaki, Meiji no Takara: Treasures of Imperial Japan, Ceramics Part II: Earthenware, London, 1995, p.65 (fig.33b).

Snow scenes are not a common motif in Satsuma ware. The feeling of mid-winter in the mountains is evoked by the artist’s skilful use of thick white enamel whilst – in common with other fine examples of Yabu Meizan’s work – the costume of the figures is painted in exquisite detail in different coloured enamels with the patterns picked out in gold.

Quoted from the lot page, © Bonhams. Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 2014-05-15, lot 464 ↗