Posted 10 years ago
Carpe_Diem
(1 item)
This vase used to belong to my grandmother. I distinctly remember it used to sit on a carved rosewood(?) stand that had a circle of marble set in the top. It was always full with peacock feather and other dry florals. There are no markings to speak of, on the bottom or inside, that might be of help in identifying it's origin or value. It's a rather impressive vase with many of the characters crafted in 3 dimensions, but beyond that I have no idea about it.
I had a friend suggest that the rings/halos around their heads might be indicative of enlightenment of the soul. And given the headpiece on the elephant, which appears might be of Indian influence, and that Indians brought their belief to China, this could represent the time when Buddha went on his trip to China to spread his teachings.
Seeking some enlightenment of my own! :)
Thanks for any help
Shimazu Satsuma vase
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Japanese-Royal-Satsuma-Vase-Elephant-Gilded-Moriage-HandMade-Shimazu-/150818883099
Or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Antique-Satsuma-Style-Vase-Raised-Figures-and-Elephant-Head-/130625670384?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item1e69e58cf0
If you have cross mark painted in your vase decoration, it is Shimazu clan mark.
Meiji period, round 1868-1911. These are not cheap anyway.
Thanks for the feedback Jim and Joe. Those links are very interesting. I looks like my vase is very similar to both of those. I see others listed that are lamps. I wonder if that accounts for the hole in the bottom, although no wooden base or other hardware that I can recall, has ever been a part of it.
For what it's worth, my vase is 15" high, 9" diameter, and weighs about 12lbs. slightly larger/heavier than those in the links. Wondering if that improves the value at all, and if so, by how much.
Any thoughts on the fact that there aren't any markings such as a Shimazu clan mark?
Fantastic!...:-)
It is same period anyway, mogiage pottery.
Sizes does matter ;) in this case it is more valuable than others maybe 20-40$ more. Any cracks/chips are notable when assessing these items.
arhats vase likely ( rather well
or rakan