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Subject:Help identifying signature on Satsuma-style vase
Posted By: Kary Ainsley Wed, Jul 15, 2026 IP: 54.225.223.60

I purchased this 18 inch tall, 8 inch diameter vase at a US auction house that catalogued it simply as 'Meiji Period Satsuma Vase.' It has dense moriage floral decoration, gilt highlights, court/samurai figural scenes in panels, and a pink-toned rim band. The base has a hand-brushed (not stamped/gilt cartouche) 3-character mark, no Dai Nippon or Satsuma wording, and no Shimazu crest. I'm trying to determine: (1) whether this is genuine Japanese export Satsuma or a Chinese Satsuma-style imitation, (2) a reading of the base mark, and (3) an approximate date/quality tier. Photo of full vase: https://litter.catbox.moe/xieng7.jpeg Photo of base mark close-up: https://litter.catbox.moe/yor3ct.jpeg Any help identifying the signature or attribution would be greatly appreciated.



Subject:Re: Help identifying signature on Satsuma-style vase
Posted By: I.Nagy  Fri, Jul 17, 2026

The main points are indicating that this vase is not an authentic Meiji-period Japanese Satsuma ware, but rather a “Chinese Satsuma” mass-produced in China and other countries in the latter half of the 20th century (from the 1960s to the 1980s and beyond) are as follows.
1,
Original Meiji period Satsuma ware is earthenware, with creamy or ivory-colored body.Chinese made imitations are made of porcelain. The unglazed area on the bottom looks white (At least, that's what it looks like from the picture in the link)
2,
Roughly raised “morige” and unnatural coloring.
(the pink discoloration around the neck) 
3,
The surface of original satsuma ware is covered with fine mesh-like cracks, causd by aging. This piece does not have them.
4,
On the inside of the base's rim clumps of raised material appear to have spilled over the edge of the rim and remain attached as if they were left behind trimming.

Inscription,
左丗三 - Left 33
(These vases are made in pairs, so this is the left-hand vase of the 33rd pair)

With regards,
I.Nagy


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