Hello Janice,

I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal,

Considering the photographs, overall pattern, marks and the technique, I concluded that this is an Entirely Hand Painted Japanese Satsuma Porcelain Box, made in Meiji period. Likely before 1910, dating back to the period between 1890-1910. The Meiji period covered a time slot between 1868-1912, it was a very transforming age for the Japanese Empire. The closed culture type started to open up to the West. As a result, all arts were effected in this direction. The mark underneath your piece is either uncomplete or left uncomplete on purpose since the artist choose to sign the piece under it's lid with a moriage technique set of writings. In this writings underneath the lid we can read "Shuzan". Shuzan is a know artist or an atelier of Meiji period. The Moriage technique was also used on your piece both on it's outer decoration and inner decoration. In the outer decoration we can say that the decoration is not very precise. Satsuma piece were sometimes criticised in this period for their "crowded" decorational elements and lack of precision that has shown on especially pieces from after 1900. The piece depicts likely a scene from the army marching forward with Imperial carriages shown in composition, also a nobleman is shown close to the spectator with a lavish gilt helmet. The painting quality is above average and the motifs are rendered neatly although the decoration is not aligned very precisely. A very detailed work by a master porcelain craftsman. In very good condition without damage.

Entirely hand painted.

Dimensions: 4 Inches of Diameter.

Condition: In very good condition without damage.

Provenance: Unknown.

Heavily decorated by Marching Forward Scenes.

200-250$.

Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.