A Japanese Satsuma Earthenware Koro and Cover, Meiji Period

A Japanese Satsuma earthenware koro (incense burner) and cover from the Meiji period (1868-1912). The vessel is of compressed globular form, supported by three tripod feet with moulded mask heads. The body features two applied handles in the form of shishi (lion-dogs), and the domed cover is surmounted by a matching shishi-form finial. The exterior is decorated in a characteristic Satsuma palette of iron-red, gold, and polychrome enamels over a cream-coloured crackle-glazed ground. The central decorative scheme consists of panels depicting figures, likely Rakans or sages, interspersed with dense brocade-patterned reserves and geometric borders. The decoration is accented with raised moriage beaded highlights in white enamel. Hand-painted black characters are present on the outer rim of the neck but are not clearly legible.