A late 19th or early 20th century Meiji period Satsuma vase with the Shimazu clan mark & signed "Kore sei Koriyama" (Made by Koriyama). Beautifully decorated with gold highlight & scenes that are often depictions of well known Japanese tales or folklore.
Displaying Samurai, Geisha & what may be a traveller, but most unusually a finely dressed young nobleman/Samurai with a bird of prey. The sport of Japanese falconry (TAKAGARI) was a sport reserved only for the very elite of Japanese society & is rarely depicted in ceramics. The vase is approximately 13.5cm tall with no chips or cracks & appears to be in very good condition. In the images I have taken a closeup of the gold headwear on one of the geisha's heads, you will note there are small shallow marks/blemishes which are very difficult see. If you have time check out my other vintage, antique rare & unusual listings, I often have coprolites & the occasional fossil too.