Featured large satsuma piece

I find the somewhat lecherous expressions on the 3 monks (?) in the foreground somewhat interesting,and are they inhaling something out of that smoking pot ?
I'm sure there's a perfectly traditional tale that explains what these three wildmen,bodhisattvas,etc are actually doing-there invariably is with ancient cultures.

 

I think one the holes in charlie's censer ends in the brocade ball, which is openwork. The other could pass through the lion's body and out through its mouth.

 

absolutely ! hadn't even thought of that and i was pondering where after JD mentioned it.

and through the cracks as well

thinking about it i guess the lids are prone to damage because of the nature of them being functional

 

Ha! I’d never heard chalk and cheese. Love it and may borrow it from time to time. Mine is definitely an interesting example. I’d love to find out more about how the white with blushing decoration came about. Seems so strange relative to average satsuma. There has to be an explanation though I’d think.

The more I look at yours the more I like it. It’s just a bit too busy my personal taste is all. AJ is probably right about smoke coming from the mouth and ball. You should test that out.

I’d imagine same general period of manufacture too.

 

Yeh you’re probably right! I didn’t put two and two together looking at the underside of the lid. Good eye.

edit: I wish smoke came out this very dusty boy mouth.

 

Lecherous is a great descriptor for them. I actually love how the Japanese used to sometimes make men look so maniacal and lecherous. I covet the pieces where they do. Chinese did it sometimes too. Odd how the grotesque is attractive in a way.

They could be burning some herbs for inhalation. I think China/Asia is where wacky tabacky use originated. Looks like they are just burning incense and practicing calligraphy to me. The decorator missed out on an opportunity to decorate the scroll. It looks empty. Almost as if someone was supposed to finish it but never did.