Featured Chinese Moriage or Not

I got this large container and would like to see if somebody could point me in the right direction on getting more info on it as to how old it could be and what would it be called and who the characters are any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Unusual form and over-the-top decoration... I think Satsuma moriage?

 

It looks like lots and lots of enamel to me.

 

Looks Japanese, rather than Chinese. Moriage refers to a Japanese technique of raised slip or enamel decoration.

 

I agree with Japanese and enamel, not moriage.

 

Confused - what's the difference between moriage vs enamel?

 

I see all kinds of beading on this piece, which is a characteristic of moriage. Also, the Chinese did adopt the moriage technique in the late 19th century. And I know that in the 20th c., China produced, and is still producing, Japanese style moriage pieces complete with geisha scenes, in fact I have had several of them. Could this be a medicine bottle? And what in the world are these guys up to in this scene?! (See photo 4 and right hand side of photo 3 where it looks like one is about to smash a man's hand with a rock! Perhaps these are medicine men and one is looking up a cure in that book. I do not know if this is Japanese or Chinese. I guess the butterfly is the maker's mark? Quite an interesting piece. I am sure someone here could identify whether Chinese or Japanese. I am leaning toward Chinese simply because of the dynamic, rather wild, style of the scenes, whereas Japanese decorative style is almost always more restrained. Also the familiar Chinese style bottle top. The Chinese have a long history of keeping medicine in bottles due to their humid climate. But hopefully an Asian expert will answer your question definitively!

 

@scoutshouse - Moriage uses a clay slip decoratively in places over the body of the piece to give it a built up three dimensional appearance, and here in this piece it appears to me that at least the beading and the white dragon are slip decorated. Enamel is, well, you know - enamel.

 

They are and that is what is throwing me off as to it being moriage. Ant thoughts to that?

 

@Mario - Look at the 8th photo, there is clay slip build up everywhere, actually - on the clothing (see the colored dabs), the little beads, the dragon, the bundle of sticks. This is moriage.

 

So, for instance, the people and other things like the bundle of sticks are clay? And Satsuma doesn't use that technique?

 

Yes, you answered my question and

 

@scoutshouse - Well, the raised areas I mentioned, including apparently the bundle of sticks, are built up with a sort of fluid clay mixture, often applied from a tube. This method is a labor intensive. True Satsuma pieces use moriage technique, but just because a piece is decorated with moriage does not make it satsuma. Satsuma has very special criteria to be called true satsuma. Many pieces are called satsuma which are not. You might want to google it.

 

I keep thinking I know what Satsuma is, bc I grew up with my mother's beautiful Satsuma tea set, "thinking" being the operative word!

Copy that

Thanks for trying!

 

Would size make a difference? It measures 21-1/2"H without stopper and 23" with and about 11"W, it is more squarish than round and on opposing corners measure about 13-14", thanks.

 

Also, you could try Guest and Gray (they helped me at one time): https://chinese-porcelain-art.com/ their contact email is at bottom of the home page. Be sure to let us know what you find out!

 

The dramatic, exaggerated style is quite characteristic of some aspects of Japanese art. It can be seen in ukiyo-e prints, for example:


I don't know what these fellows on the bottle are up to, though. Perhaps it is a sake bottle and they are all a little drunk.

With regard to moriage and satsuma, there have been previous discussions here on the forums:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/the-mystery-of-moriage.30096/
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/satsuma-vase-knock-off-how-do-i-identify-thanks.32952/#post-436284

 

It looks Japanese to me as Japanese dragons have three toes and Chinese dragons five.