A fine and large Satsuma figure of Kannon porcelain

Description:

Japan, signed in red Dai Nihon Teikoku Bijutsu Satsuma yaki Tôzani’ 大日本帝国美術薩摩焼桃山製 and the Shimazu crest, Meiji period
H. 48,8 cm
The Bodhisattva, with eyes almost closed and a meditative expression, bears an urna on his forehead and wears a richly decorated, multi-layered robe featuring cloud, floral and vine motifs in blue, green, iron red and gold. The figure wears an openwork headdress painted with floral motifs, topped with a gold-gilded knob or lotus bud; long, loose hair protrudes from beneath the mantilla, and a necklace with häpendants. Her right hand holds a gold-decorated scroll, whilst her left rests in a typical mudra-like gesture. The base features a floral border decoration; bare feet are visible beneath the hem of the robe.
German private collection; according to tradition, acquired from an old Swiss private collection in Zurich in the 1980s
Buddhist motifs on Satsuma porcelain were not produced very frequently, even though they were generally intended less for religiousbut rather intended to appeal to the Western collectors’ market as aesthetic and exotic. Here one encounters Kannon, the embodiment of compassion, depicted standing or seated, often with attributes such as a rosary, lotus bud or scroll, occasionally in her thousand-armed form. Equally common are Rakan (Arhats), the enlightened youngerof the Buddha, frequently depicted in group scenes on vases - individually characterised, often with whimsical, aged facial features, which offered Japanese artisans ample opportunity for virtuoso miniature painting. Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune with Buddhist-Daoist roots, as well as depictions of the Buddha himself, usually as a seated meditating figure, are also regularly found.
Compare a similar figure of Kannon signed Kizan, sold at Bonhams New York, 19 March 2013, Lot 2341 - Minimal signs of ageing and very minor losses to enamels, well preserved