This exceptional Meiji period Japanese Satsuma earthenware vase features a classic ovoid form, finely hand-painted in rich polychrome enamels and heavy gold gilt. The body is decorated with a continuous, beautifully detailed narrative scene depicting several of the legendary Eight Daoist Immortals (Ba Xian) crossing the sea.

Among the figures, the design dynamically portrays one immortal treading waves with a staff, another riding a giant sea turtle, and others looking on with expressive faces, all set against a background of stylized golden clouds and rolling crests. The shoulder of the vase is adorned with a dense, intricate border of patterned cartouches containing stylized ho-o birds (phoenixes) and floral motifs, separated by geometric bands around the neck and a gilded rim.

The underside of the vessel bears the signature of the master decorator Gyozan (暁山) beneath the Shimazu family crest (a cross within a circle), alongside a historical cyclically-dated inscription and a workshop kiln mark.

Specifications

• Origin: Japan

• Period: Meiji Period (Late 19th Century)

• Material: Gilt and enameled crackle-glazed earthenware (Satsuma)

• Artist/Maker: Gyozan (暁山) (with Shimazu family crest)

• Inscriptions: Signed "Gyozan-zo" (暁山造), dated to the Tiger year (慶三年虎), with workshop mark "Keirindō Kakoshi-sei" (桂林堂 菓子製)

• Subject: Eight Immortals crossing the sea

• Dimensions: 14 x 9 in.

japanese satsuma earthenware vase gyozan meiji period ceramic gilt gold enamel hand painted porcelain ovoid jar fine art asian antiques oriental pottery eight immortals crossing sea shimazu crest signed marked vintage collectible home decor estate liquidation listing