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A beautiful and rare pair of Satsuma vases from the Meïji period.
Firstly, the shape of these two vases is unusual, as they are not round but square with domed sides.
Secondly, this is a true pair, not two identical vases.
Each of the four faces has a different decoration, and the decorations are opposite each other, systematically facing each other.
Surprisingly, despite the flat surfaces, the overall silhouette is ovoid.
The two vases are firmly planted on a circular base encircled in gold and adorned with a geometric frieze.
On each side, the figures posing before an orange-toned mountain landscape are richly enhanced with gilding.
The same applies to the upper part, where gold highlights a red dot pattern on a brown background and the geometrically decorated flat.
The grips on two opposite corners appear to be lions' heads.
As with the thick beading on the neck, the gilding has worn away in places, attesting to the vases' regular use and adding an extra touch of authenticity.
The interior is off-white, and each piece bears a red square mark and the artist's probable signature under the base.
It's impossible not to fall under the spell of this pair, so atypical of Satsuma production.
Ref: TJ1T8X0W2Y