Page 20 - Wolley & Wallace, July 1, 2020 Japanese Works of Art UK

238
A GOOD JAPANESE SATSUMA BOWL BY NAKAMURA BAIKEI
MEIJI PERIOD, 19 CENTURY
TH
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.
£5,000-8,000
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.

side reverse

18 See paragraphs 4 & 5 of our conditions of business at the back of the catalogue for additional charges on the final hammer prices