How can I tell if my Satsuma vase is real?

All Satsuma ware is earthenware. You can tell it from porcelain by the weight. Pottery is heavier and won’t have the eggshell glow when held up to the light and won’t resonate like porcelain does when tapped. If the decoration looks like Satsuma but it is porcelain, then it is likely Kutani.

Are all Satsuma vases marked?

Genuine Satsuma is hand-painted with Japanese images, Chinese figures do not appear on genuine Satsuma and genuine Satsuma is marked in Japanese. Not all Satsuma marks are the same. I am familiar with at least ten but I’m sure there are more. Satsuma usually has the artist’s signature along with the Satsuma mark.

Are Japanese Satsuma vases valuable?

Because of its long history and popularity through time, the price of Satsuma ware can range from less than one hundred pounds to many thousands of pounds. This makes it a very accessible art form to many collectors including those that are just starting out.

How do you read Satsuma marks?

The two characters to the right read “Satsuma”. The bottom left is usually written as “zan”, rather than “yama”. Taisho period (1912-1926). On some Japanese Satsuma wares the thee kanji characters 保土田 occurs in the mark.

What is the most expensive Satsuma vase?

Old Satsuma vase made in Meiji period sells for over $14,000. The piece features intricate reticulation and decoration.

What is the Kutani mark?

Kutani Marks The marks at the bottom of each Kutani piece are often hand-painted. However, you will also find pieces where an artist decides to engrave or emboss a mark at the bottom. Impressed and incised marks are not as common as hand-painted ones. Many Kutani pieces do not have any mark or are simply marked Kutani.

What is Satsuma Moriage?

Moriage is a slip decoration of raised enamels. It occurs on Satsuma wares as early as circa 1890 but tends to be more carefully applied on early pieces. Moriage also seems to be limited to pieces made outside of the Satsuma domain while being typical for Kyoto Satsuma ware.