A GOOD JAPANESE SATSUMA BOWL BY NAKAMURA BAIKEI

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

The well delicately painted with a scene of revelers on a pleasure boat, the vessel with a dragon-shaped prow and a large model of a white phoenix on the roof, the family crest for the Tokugawa clan underneath, Maru ni Mitsuba Aoi mon, other boats visible in the distance and a densely-built island with a torii gate to the side, two cranes flying above, the rim with bands of chrysanthemum flowerheads, the outside with many cloud-shaped panels variously containing figures engaged in daily activities, some at work and others at leisure, the square foot surrounded by bands of lappets and brocade patterns, the base signed Nakamura Baikei with a gilt square seal and a gourd-shaped panel enclosing a long self-congratulatory inscription, 12.2cm dia.

Provenance: an English private collection of Satsuma wares, Wiltshire. Purchased from Sotheby's London, 20th June 2002, lot 266; a copy of the original receipt is available.

The decoration to the well may be a reference to chapter 24 of The Tale of Genji, in which the Prince arranges for the construction of Chinese-style barges with dragon and phoenix decoration for a spring party in honour of Lady Murasaki, his favourite consort.