665 - Five Satsuma plates with birds in flowering landscapes, Nikkozan mark, Japan

Five Satsuma plates with birds in flowering landscapes, Nikkozan mark, Japan Ceramic, cream-coloured body with fine crackle, polychrome overglaze painting with rich gilt decoration, the rim encircled by a black band with gilt zigzag and hook pattern. The plates with motifs from the bird-and-flower repertoire: 1) and 2) two plates with hanging wisteria clusters above rocks and water, below yellow and red chrysanthemums, between them a long-tailed bird in flight. 3) a pheasant on a rock by a stream beneath a red-leaved maple, above it a bird taking flight. 4) two mandarin ducks by reed-lined water in front of chrysanthemums and irises. 5) a bird in flight above grasses, bellflowers and autumn blossoms. Each plate with a black rectangular cartouche on the base containing three gilt characters. Good age-appropriate condition, partly rubbed, the plate with the mandarin ducks with a chip to the rim. D. 16 cm each. Satsuma does not denote a manufactory but a type of ware: a yellowish to cream-coloured earthenware with finely crackled glaze that was painted for export in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo from the late 19th century onwards. The three characters of the base mark read Nikkozan; the name is documented as a workshop mark of Satsuma production and regularly appears in gold on a black ground.