A price guide to Japanese Satsuma Ware boxes. Satsuma ware is a type of Japanese pottery originally from Satsuma Province, southern Kyūshū. Below are some examples of Satsuma ware and the prices they achieved at auction.
Seikozan
A Satsuma incense container
Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century
The circular box meticulously painted in polychrome enamels and gilt on a clear crackled glaze with three scenes of Japanese festivities, the cover depicting crowds visiting a temple complex, the underside of the cover with flags waving above groups of people milling around an entrance way flanked by shishi, the interior with crowds converging on a torii gateway near strings of lanterns and waving flags, with multiple gilt floral and jeweled garland bands on the underside, signed Seikozan
3 1/4in (8.3cm) diameter
Sold for US$3,750 (£2,690) inc. premium
A Satsuma Box and Cover
Signed Ogurisu sei, Meiji period (late 19th century)
Of square form with four feet, decorated in various coloured enamels and gilt on a crackled cream glaze, the cover with a large panel depicting Kusunoki Masashige watching Emperor Godaigo
15.4cm. long
Sold for GBP 1,375 at Christie’s
A Japanese millefleur satsuma tripod covered box of circular shape, exterior decorated in polychrome enamels and gilt, raised on tripod feet, 2 1/4” high, 3 3/4” diameter.
Sold For: £100 at Dickins Auctioneers Ltd
A SMALL GOOD QUALITY SIGNED JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD KINKOZAN SATSUMA CIRCULAR EARTHENWARE BOX & COVER, the cover with a panel of a lady and child in a garden setting, the base with a gilt maker’s mark, 2.5in diameter & 1.7in high overall.
Sold For: £400 at John Nicholson Auctioneers
JAPANESE SATSUMA POTTERY KOGO INCENSE BOX Painted with figures on the cover and floral pattern to bottom, Satsuma mark to base. H. 5.3cm (2 1/8 in.)
Sold For: CA$400 at
A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals
Antique Satsuma porcelain egg shaped box. 5″ H x 6 5/8″ W x 5 1/8″ D.
Sold For: $700 at
Antiques Supermarket
Japanese Wooden Boxes