PAIR OF JAPANESE SATSUMA-STYLE MINIATURE VASES

DIMENSIONS:

HEIGHT: 6 INCHES (15.2 CM)MOUTH DIAMETER: 2 INCHESMAXIMUM WIDTH (SHOULDER): 2.5 INCHESBASE DIAMETER: 1.75 INCHES

A CLOSELY MATCHED PAIR OF SATSUMA-STYLE MINIATURE VASES OF ELEGANT BALUSTER FORM, RISING TO A GENTLY FLARED MOUTH AND RESTING ON A COMPACT, WELL-DEFINED BASE. THE PROPORTIONS ARE HARMONIOUS, WITH A PRONOUNCED SWELLING AT THE SHOULDER THAT TAPERS GRACEFULLY INTO THE NECK.

EACH VASE IS CENTERED WITH A PRINCIPAL FIGURAL PANEL DEPICTING ANIMATED COURTLY SCENES. THE COMPOSITIONS ARE POPULATED WITH FINELY RENDERED FIGURES ENGAGED IN INTERACTION, SET WITHIN A LANDSCAPED ENVIRONMENT FEATURING PAVILIONS, BRIDGES, AND STYLIZED NATURAL ELEMENTS. THE FIGURES ARE ARTICULATED WITH DELICATE BRUSHWORK, THEIR GARMENTS ENRICHED WITH INTRICATE ENAMEL DETAILING AND HEIGHTENED WITH GILT.

THE SURROUNDING GROUND IS DENSELY ORNAMENTED WITH AN ELABORATE NETWORK OF FLORAL AND GEOMETRIC MOTIFS, EXECUTED IN A RICH PALETTE OF IRON RED, COBALT BLUE, GREEN, AND GOLD