A GOOD JAPANESE SATSUMA TRAY BY TOZAN

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

Of oval form with a tall rim, richly decorated in gilt and polychrome with a swarm of insects including butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, fireflies and praying mantis, one small snail to one corner, the border with a band of shippo-tsunagi cash patterns, the rim with a millefleurs pattern of chrysanthemum, peonies and hydrangea and the reverse with a band of stylised flowerheads and paulownia-shaped Imperial mon crests, a four character mark to the side for Tozan, 31.5cm.

Provenance: an English private collection of Satsuma wares, Wiltshire. Purchased from Barry Davies Oriental Art Ltd, London, 10th June 1999; a copy of the original receipt is available.