Satsuma incense burner

Satsuma incense burner
Japan
Meiji period, 1868-1912
Height without lid approx. 5 cm
Mark of Sekizan
Knob on lid missing

Small square koro (incense burner) with round lid and sparse floral and geometric decorations. Two protomes in the form of shishi heads.
This piece stands out stylistically from the lavishly decorated examples that were primarily intended for export to the West, and demonstrates the Japanese approach to aesthetics with its deliberate use of emptiness. Marked by Sekizan, who left behind some magnificent pieces in this style.