The ceramic vase is almost 12 inches high and 12 inches wide. It has a crackle glaze and is decorated with a bird and flower design. the top and bottom are rimmed in gold.
It was a gift, about 25 years ago, to my in-laws from a Japanese Hawaiian friend.
Satsuma vase, made in Japan 1950 / 1960. Not an antique vase. Satsuma is a Japanese district which is famous for its pottery. This vase seems to be marked Satsuma Gyozan and this is made in Kyoto, Japan. Because later Satsuma productions are not sought after and have few collectors prices of these types of Satsuma from this era is still low.
Your welcome ! What a strange story about this lady ? Did she fell of the boat you think ?
I hope you enjoy the vase, Satsuma vases even from later period are very decorative and nice to have.
Her children investigated for a long time. There seemed to be no foul play. Her belongings were all in her room. She must have fallen off the ship somehow.
The vase is pretty, but we are likely to sell it with other things from my father-in-law's estate. It is a bit "decorated" for my tastes.
Thank you for your swift response. The woman who gifted this item implied that it was quite valuable. She disappeared while on an ocean cruise, so we never learned any more about the vase.