Satsuma: Japanese Decorated Pottery
Satsuma is a style of Japanese pottery originally produced in the Satsuma province (modern Kagoshima Prefecture) of Kyushu, characterized by a finely crackled cream-colored glaze decorated with polychrome enamels and gold. First produced in the early 17th century by Korean potters brought to Japan, Satsuma evolved from simple tea ceremony ware into the lavishly decorated export pottery that captivated Western collectors during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
History
- Early 1600s: Korean potters established kilns in Satsuma province under the patronage of the Shimazu clan
- 17th-18th century: Plain or simply decorated ware for tea ceremony use (sometimes called "early Satsuma" or "ko-Satsuma")
- 1867: Satsuma exhibited at the Paris Exposition, sparking Western demand
- 1868-1912 (Meiji period): Explosion of decorated Satsuma production for export; workshops in Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama produced "Satsuma-style" ware
- Late 19th century: Mass production of lower-quality export pieces; "Satsuma" became a generic term
- 20th century: Continued production, including many tourist-grade pieces with "Made in Japan" marks
Identification and Marks
- Shimazu cross: The Satsuma clan crest (a cross within a circle) appears on many pieces — does not guarantee quality or age
- Artist signatures: Important Meiji-era artists include Kinkozan, Yabu Meizan, Ryozan, Sozan, and Kozan
- Gilt marks: Cartouche with Japanese characters, often in gold, on the base
- "SATSUMA" in English: Typically indicates later export ware (post-1890)
- "Made in Japan": 20th-century production for export
- Crackle glaze: Fine, even crazing in the cream-colored glaze is characteristic
- Gold quality: High-karat gold detail on fine pieces vs. dull, flat gold on mass-produced examples
Types and Price Ranges
| Type | Description | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist-grade vase | 20th century, crude decoration | $20 - $75 |
| Export plate or charger | Standard Meiji decoration | $100 - $400 |
| Miniature vase by named artist | Finely painted, signed | $500 - $3,000 |
| Large Meiji vase, quality | Detailed scenes, gold work | $800 - $5,000 |
| Kinkozan signed piece | Major Kyoto workshop | $1,000 - $15,000+ |
| Yabu Meizan signed piece | The finest Satsuma decorator | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
| Ko-Satsuma (early) | Pre-export, tea ceremony ware | $2,000 - $20,000+ |
| Pair of large vases | Meiji, fine quality, matched | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| Satsuma figural group | Detailed modeling and painting | $500 - $5,000 |
Condition Factors
- Enamel and gold: Worn or flaking enamel and gold significantly reduces value; Satsuma was made to be admired, not used
- Crackle integrity: The crackle pattern should be even and stable; pieces with flaking glaze are compromised
- Restoration: Common on Satsuma; UV examination reveals many repairs
- Detail quality: The fineness of painted detail is the single most important quality indicator — examine faces, architectural elements, and textile patterns
- Size: Larger pieces with sustained quality of decoration are rarer and more valuable than smaller examples
Collecting Tips
- Learn to distinguish studio-quality Meiji Satsuma from mass-produced export ware — the difference in value is enormous
- Signed pieces by recognized artists (Kinkozan, Yabu Meizan, Ryozan) are the strongest performers at auction
- Miniature pieces by top artists can exceed larger pieces by lesser decorators in value
- The quality of the gold work is a quick indicator — fine pieces use burnished gold with careful detail; cheap pieces have flat, dull gold
- "Thousand faces" and "thousand flower" patterns are common on export ware and generally indicate mid-grade production
- Early (ko-Satsuma) pieces appeal to a different collector base than Meiji export ware and require specialized knowledge
- Satsuma has been extensively reproduced and faked — pieces with artificially aged crackle and muddy coloring should be viewed with suspicion