Satsuma Elephant
Title
Satsuma Elephant
Subject
Ceramics, Post Imjin War period, Japanese pottery, Satsumaware, Korean Pottery, pottery, Post tea wars, glazing techniques
Description
This is a Satsumaware elephant with gold enameling, intricate floral designs clustered about the surface, and imagery of Japanese high society. English stamp on the foot indicates dating to be from the late 19th to early 20th century production era. This style of pottery creation originated from after the Imjin war where Japan took korean craftsmen and women from Korea over to the Japanese mainland and forced them to live in small isolated communities to create pottery. Gradually, the korean population worked its way up in society, and assimilated into Japanese society where their workshops became world renowned for their product.
ID: The ceramic elephant stands with its trunk raised in a trumpeting position, and, being connected to the head, its posture indicates the intention to use its trunk as a handle. On its back lies an elevated flat surface where its main function is most telling as a plant stand. The main body of the elephant is pitch black, with tiny light blue dots covering the surface. On the elephant's head, there is a raised surface in the shape of a crown painted with gold enamel. This gold enameling continues to trace along the edges of the trunk, tusks, nails, and is accented thoughtfully around various flower motifs on the elephant.
The ears of the elephant are glazed in an ivory yellow color, as well as the painted image on the sides, displaying a picturesque Japanese social gathering. Four women and two men are standing clustered in a garden, each gender separate. The women stand close as they introduce a shy but beautiful woman to a potential suitor, the suitor's father or grandfather standing close beside him. The scene is quaint and modest, with little expressive energy.
Physical Dimensions: 14.5’’ by 13.3’’
ID: The ceramic elephant stands with its trunk raised in a trumpeting position, and, being connected to the head, its posture indicates the intention to use its trunk as a handle. On its back lies an elevated flat surface where its main function is most telling as a plant stand. The main body of the elephant is pitch black, with tiny light blue dots covering the surface. On the elephant's head, there is a raised surface in the shape of a crown painted with gold enamel. This gold enameling continues to trace along the edges of the trunk, tusks, nails, and is accented thoughtfully around various flower motifs on the elephant.
The ears of the elephant are glazed in an ivory yellow color, as well as the painted image on the sides, displaying a picturesque Japanese social gathering. Four women and two men are standing clustered in a garden, each gender separate. The women stand close as they introduce a shy but beautiful woman to a potential suitor, the suitor's father or grandfather standing close beside him. The scene is quaint and modest, with little expressive energy.
Physical Dimensions: 14.5’’ by 13.3’’
Creator
Satsuma
Source
Personal Collection
Date
Circa 20th century
Contributor
Amelia Tappler
Rights
This material is subject to copyright law and is made available for private study, scholarship, and research purposes only.
Format
JPG
Language
English
Type
Physical Object
Collection
Citation
Satsuma, “Satsuma Elephant,” Aegis Digital Museum, accessed April 28, 2026, https://aegisdigitalmuseum.kennesaw.edu/items/show/287.
Related Items you might want to check out...
