8 - Japan – Morita Toku (森田徳) – Small Satsuma earthenware vase decorated with Buddhist figures – Meiji period, 19th century

Japan – Morita Toku (森田徳) – Small Satsuma earthenware vase decorated with Buddhist figures – Meiji period, 19th century Description: A charming small Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase, oval in shape with a short neck, featuring a remarkable polychrome decoration that is finely hand-painted and richly accented with gold. The body is adorned with Buddhist figures in ceremonial robes, depicted within gold-ground medallions, surrounded by mountainous landscapes, waterfalls, rocks, and trees with delicately rendered foliage. The figures’ garments display a wealth of geometric and floral motifs, reflecting the finesse of Japanese decorative art during the Meiji period. The neck is adorned with geometric friezes and traditional Japanese motifs. The base bears a signature painted in Japanese characters, reading “Satsuma Morita Toku sei” (薩摩 森田徳製), attributed to Morita Toku or his workshop. Period: Meiji (1868–1912), probably the late 19th century.