This exquisite miniature Satsuma teapot is a rare Japanese collectible from the Meiji to early Taishō period, meticulously hand-painted in polychrome enamel and richly adorned with gold accents. Measuring just 2.5 inches high with the handle extended, it was likely intended as a suiteki (water dropper) for calligraphy or a symbolic teapot crafted for export or display, rather than utilitarian use.
The flattened, circular form showcases figural cartouches of courtly women and children in garden settings, surrounded by intricate floral and textile patterns, punctuated by brilliant gilding. The lid mirrors the same level of artistry, capped with a golden finial, while the spout and handle brackets are accented with warm iron-red and gold brushwork. A delicate, wrapped metal handle completes the piece.
The underside is signed in gold over red with the mark of Kinkozan, one of Kyoto’s most esteemed studios during Japan’s golden age of Satsuma export ware. The body displays the typical fine crackle glaze associated with high-quality earthenware from this school.
Dimensions:
2.5" H with handle x 2.5" diameter
1.5" H without handle
Condition:
Excellent antique condition. Minor wear to the gilding and enamel consistent with age. No chips, cracks, or known repairs. Handle and lid are original and intact.
Collector’s Note
Miniature Satsuma ware of this caliber, signed, intact, and finely rendered, is increasingly elusive on the market. This piece is emblematic of the Kinkozan studio's output at the height of the Japonisme craze, when such objects were eagerly acquired by Western aesthetes, curators, and scholars. Its refined scale and narrative decoration speak not only to the artisan's hand but also to the cultural export ambitions of Meiji Japan. A serious addition to any collection of Japanese ceramics or Asian export miniatures.
