This exquisite vintage Japanese porcelain teapot from the esteemed Hododa studio represents the pinnacle of Meiji-era Satsuma craftsmanship, crafted for the export market to captivate Western collectors with their opulent detail and cultural elegance. The teapot, measuring 4.5 inches tall (with lid) and 8 inches wide (including handle), features a rounded baluster body elevated on three short red feet, a gracefully curved handle, and a tapered spout for elegant pouring. Its ivory-white crackled glaze serves as a canvas for vibrant hand-painted overglaze enamels depicting traditional motifs: lush floral panels of blooming peonies and chrysanthemums in soft greens and pinks, interspersed with geometric brocade patterns in red and gold. The scalloped rim and handle are trimmed in bold iron-red with intricate gold scrollwork, evoking the refinement of imperial Japanese artistry.
Item Specifics
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Maker: Hododa (保土田) – A renowned Kyoto/Yokohama-based studio specializing in Satsuma-style export ware during the Meiji and early Taisho periods. The red oval mark with Japanese characters (including "二" for 2 and "八" for 8, likely part of the artist's or kiln's seal) is consistent with Hododa signatures found on high-quality Satsuma pieces.
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Age: Late Meiji to early Taisho period (circa 1890-1920s), based on the export-style decoration, overglaze enameling technique, and subtle wear patterns typical of high-quality Satsuma productions during this era. This aligns with the continued production of Satsuma ware for international markets after the peak export period (late 19th to early 20th century).
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Original/Reproduction: Original – This is an authentic antique piece from the Meiji/Taisho era, not a modern reproduction. Genuine Satsuma ware from this period features hand-painted overglaze enamels on a crackled earthenware body, without English markings like "Made in Japan" (which appear on post-1921 exports). The absence of such labels and the refined craftsmanship confirm its originality.
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Color: Multicolored with predominant ivory-white ground; accents in rich red (iron-red enamels), green, blue, gold gilding, and subtle purple tones. The scalloped rims and feet feature bold red borders with gold detailing, while the floral and figural motifs pop against the crackled background.
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Material: Porcelain (earthenware body with a fine crackled ivory glaze, typical of Satsuma export ware; heavier and denser than true porcelain, with no "eggshell" translucency when held to light).
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Style: Satsuma (Kyō-Satsuma export style) – Elaborately hand-painted overglaze enamels with intricate floral motifs (e.g., chrysanthemums, peonies, and scrolling vines), geometric borders, and scalloped edges. Influenced by traditional Japanese aesthetics but designed for Western tastes, featuring vivid polychrome enamels and heavy gold gilding on a crackled ground.
Item dimensions: 4.5" tall × 8" wide × 5.5" deep
Weight of item: 1 lb 3 oz
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