Meiji Satsuma Gilt and Enamelled Koro with Lion Finial
click the photo to enlarge
A Satsuma gilt and enamelled koro and cover, Meiji period (1868-1912) of squat baluster form, the domed cover with a Buddhist lion finial above the body with a further pair of gilt lions joined at the shoulder and rim, on three feet with grotesque masks and animal paws, the body decorated in satsuma palette with two panels of figures on a brocade patterned ground, apparently unmarked with trace gilt painted mark to the underside. Height 42 cm, width 30 cm
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
- Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.
Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins. - Grotesque - Grotesque decoration is any fanciful ornament applied to furniture and decorative arts, and includes distorted faces, mythical animals such as satyrs and sphinxes and less frequently fantastical fruit and flower forms.
The Martin Brothers who set up their pottery at the end of the nineteenth century in Southall, Middlesex derived their fame from their hand made models of grotesque stoneware birds.
This item has been included into following indexes: