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Subject:Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Jun 22, 2020 IP: 2601:342:200:6e70:11

This is a 6.75 inches high by about 5.5 inches wide pottery image of the Japanese Lucky God Daikoku and rat with a fine Satsuma-style crackled glaze. It came from a recent estate sale, where I was drawn to it by what I see as a contrast in its animated expressiveness, compared to the typical chubby-cheeked pale-faced 20th century Kutani slip-cast Daikoku figurine. It also seems to have a bit more opulent decoration, even when compared to some larger Daikoku images I've seen online and described as late 19th century, including the Christies auction result at the link (which also is pasted below if the link doesn't work). It's base is sealed, which sometimes indicates an image was modeled by hand, and seems to be unsigned, save some tiny squiggles in one spot that I think is a kiln flaw.

In the main, I'm wondering if anything seen here might be taken as an indication of it being older than Meiji-period.

Much obliged,

Bill H.

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-satsuma-figure-signed-satsuma-with-shimazu-5078302-details.aspx







Subject:Re: Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Jun 22, 2020

Here are some more pictures, including a close up of the kiln flaw that looked like it might contain a character in the other photo. Just a flaw.

Bill H.








Subject:Re: Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Martin Michels Tue, Jun 23, 2020

Hallo Bill,

A beautiful figurine indeed.
I'm not sure that this is pre Meiji, the decoration looks quite exuberant for an Edo piece.
Might be from the Meiji at the time the Japanese went to the World Fairs with their products around 1880 / 1890.
However, that's just my guess, but great find.
Regards,
Martin.

Subject:Re: Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Jun 23, 2020

Martin, thanks for the straight scoop on this guy. I sort of figured it had an air of Meiji commercial appeal about it, but when it comes to such things, all I know for sure is that I don't know a tenth of what you know.

Much obliged for your willingness to share,

Bill H.

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Subject:Re: Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Tom Aspden Tue, Jun 23, 2020

I Think I would be willing to agree with Martin, this looks like it is a Meiji period figure, I don't know why specifically, but that's just what I thought when I first saw it.

Regards,
Tom

Subject:Re: Satsuma style Daikoku figurine with rat
Posted By: Bill H Wed, Jun 24, 2020

Tom, I appreciate the input. With Martin's comments on record, both of our first impressions look to have been right on target.

Best regards,

Bill H.


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