Satsuma-style Japanese tea set with golden dragons
Satsuma-style Japanese tea set with golden dragons
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9-piece Satsuma-style Japanese tea set with gold decoration
This Satsuma-style Japanese tea set brings together nine coordinated pieces: a teapot, a milk jug, a sugar bowl, three cups, and three saucers. The decoration combines deep blue, red, green, turquoise, white, and abundant gold details. Human figures occupy a large part of the surfaces, while beaded reliefs, geometric borders, and dragon-head finials add volume.
It is a set originally designed for tea service, but its decoration currently makes it of special interest as an exhibit and collectible item.
Japanese design, relief decoration, and decorative value
The Satsuma-style Japanese tea set was conceived for serving hot drinks and is particularly interesting today as a collection or display piece.
The teapot concentrates much of the set's visual character, with a spout ending in a dragon's head, a decorated handle, and a lid topped by another zoomorphic motif. The cups and saucers repeat the same palette and create a highly recognizable presentation when arranged together.
Gold details appear on edges, clothing, handles, borders, and reliefs. Part of this decoration features a raised finish visually consistent with the technique known as moriage.
The base of one of the pieces retains a red stamp with the words “TRADE MARK” and “MADE IN JAPAN”, accompanied by a graphic emblem and Japanese characters. This mark confirms the Japanese origin, although it does not in itself allow for the certain identification of a specific manufacturer.
Due to its scale, it can be displayed in its entirety on a sideboard, in a cabinet, or within a collection of Japanese porcelain and ceramics. The pieces also have enough visual presence to be exhibited separately.
Technical characteristics
- Type of piece: Japanese tea service or set.
- Total number of pieces: 9.
- Composition: 1 teapot, 1 milk jug, 1 sugar bowl, 3 cups, and 3 saucers.
- Material: light-bodied Japanese ceramic, apparently porcelain.
- Decoration: polychrome in blue, red, green, turquoise, white, and gold.
- Reliefs: raised decoration with an appearance consistent with the moriage technique.
- Motifs: human figures, geometric borders, and zoomorphic elements.
- Sculptural details: dragon heads on spouts and finials.
- Style: Satsuma inspiration / Japanese export ceramic.
- Origin: Japan, confirmed by the visible stamp.
- Era: 20th century; more precise dating pending stamp identification.
- Mark: red “TRADE MARK – MADE IN JAPAN” stamp, with emblem and Japanese characters.
- Condition: to the naked eye, it retains its general decoration well.
- Original use: tea service.
- Current use: collection, display, and decoration.
Measurements:
- 3 saucers: 13 x 13 x H2 cm.
- 3 cups: 10.5 x 8.5 x H4.5 cm.
- 1 teapot: 22 x 11 x H17 cm.
- 1 milk jug: 15.5 x 8.5 x H12 cm.
- 1 sugar bowl: 15 x 9 x H13.5 cm.
A Japanese set with highly recognizable decoration
Due to its colors, gold, and relief decoration, this Satsuma-style Japanese tea set works well in a display cabinet, on a sideboard, in a living room, or as part of a Japanese ceramic collection. It can also form part of an oriental-inspired decorative composition.
The stamp preserved on the base adds useful information about its provenance and allows it to be identified as a Japanese production intended for the export market.
The current food safety of the glazes has not been confirmed, so its use with drinks should be assessed separately. As a decorative or collectible piece, the set can be exhibited complete, which allows for a better appreciation of the continuity of the motifs between the teapot, cups, and saucers.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really from the 19th century?
With the photographs available, it should not be attributed to the 19th century. The “Made in Japan” inscription indicates 20th-century production. More precise dating would require identifying the stamp and physically examining the pieces.
Is it authentic Satsuma?
The decoration presents an aesthetic commercially associated with the Satsuma style and Japanese moriage.
How many pieces does it include?
The set has 9 pieces: one teapot, one milk jug, one sugar bowl, three cups, and three saucers.
Can I request more photographs?
It is advisable to check with the store regarding the possibility of receiving additional photographs or videos of the bases, stamps, interiors, and condition of each piece.
