Small Japanese Satsuma Pottery Bowl Painted Samurai Mark 宝山 Hozan Meiji 1900

An antique Meiji period small Japanese satsuma pottery scalloped rim bowl that has been finely hand painted with an image of Japanese Samurai warriors. The base is marked with a gilded lozenge mark on an iron red ground:  宝山 - Hozan, which can also translate as Takarayama. The bowl is covered with a deep blue cobalt glaze and decorated with gilded geometric, floral and scroll patterns. The inside of the bowl has a central five petal shaped reserved ground for the main decoration.

This central cartouche has scene with three samurai clad in armour to the left under a tree, one holding a clan standard or flag, which looks similar to that of the Minamoto  ( 源 ) or Genji ( 源氏 ) clan mon. He is stood behind another warrior who is mounted on a dappled horse. The horseman has a kuwagata maedate crest to his kabuto helmet, he has a sword at his waist and is holding a bow and has arrows in a quiver on his back. To his left is a third soldier with a sword and spear or pike. To the right of the three samurai are two figures, one a young girl who is leading a man, carrying a long bow, away from the group.

This is a great example of good quality antique Japanese export Satsuma-yaki ( 薩摩焼 ) or Satsuma ware from the late 19th century dating from around 1900 during the Meiji period. 

The bowl is 3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm) diameter and 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) high, it weighs 96 grammes unpacked

It is in excellent antique condition with some very minor rubbing to the gilding and the usual crazing to the glaze. Please see the images.

Free UK postage, international postage at cost.