Museum-Scale Kyoto Satsuma Vase by Seiko-en Chokei

This museum-scale Kyoto Satsuma vase presents an immersive late Meiji narrative, painted in a continuous panorama of scholars and Daoist immortals along a riverbank. The baluster form with gilt key-fret foot is completely encircled by finely shaded polychrome enamels and dense raised gold that read almost like brocade. Portrait-like faces, intricate hands and subtle expressions reveal a painter working at the upper limit of Kyoto Satsuma craftsmanship. Rotation of the vase reveals new scenes, emphasising its panoramic conception.

The base inscription, read as “Satsuma-yaki, Seiko-en, Chokei ga”, supported by red seals “Seiko / 盛廣” and “Dai Nihon”, attributes the vase to the Kyoto studio Seiko-en and the painter Chokei. Lack of documented large signed examples in Western archives confirms the rarity of such work.

Measurements
• Height: 35.5 cm (13.9″)
• Diameter: 28.6 cm (11.3″)
• Weight: approx. 4,529 g

Condition
Very good antique condition with strong, intact gilding and enamel work. A small rim hairline and star-shaped glaze crack to the base are stable and glaze-confined under UV. No structural cracks or restorations.