Gilded Satsuma Warrior and Courtesan Vase
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.
- Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- Japanese ceramics, item types - other 2,525
-
Satsuma (Japan), item type
- other items 2,034
- vases 1,376
Visually similar items
A large Satsuma vase. 19th century, having a folded fabric style neck and applied side tassel cords, the baluster vase with an all over scene in autumnal coloured enamels and gilt upon a beige ground of various bijin in a pavilion setting, and to the rever
Satsuma blue ground gilded figured panelled vase, signed to the base Kinkozan. 16 cm high
A fine Satsuma baluster vase, probably Meiji period, later 19th century, decorated with figural narratives to oval reserves, one in a garden pavilion setting, the other with officials and a wagon, between beautifully patterned and moriage gilded lappet and
A Japanese Satsuma Kinkozan style vase, early 20th century, decorated earthenware, depicting geishas and figures, with rooster and chicks verso. Signed with character marks to base. Height 24 cm