oriental Japanese vase pottery mark query by: Scott
Hi Chris, That is a lovely vase..:) It is Japanese Satsuma, the first give away is the crackle glaze, which is a pointer towards Satsuma. Second the decoration, that funny dotted decoration is called moriage, and although not unique to Satsuma, it to is a pointer. The Mark clinches it. ...Above the mark is a red circle, (once I had turned my head around..:)). in the red circle would have been a cross, this mark is the Shimazu family crest. They are and have been the ruling family of the Satsuma region for a few centuries. The mark below is I believe Hododa, together with the usual Great Nippon made etc.. I think Peter is correct it dates from around the late Meiji period.....maybe 1900. I hope this helps. Kind Regards. Scott
