Japanese Satsuma Porcelain Incense Burner

Gilt lions guard the handles, the lid and all three feet. Inside, a crowd of sages keeps watch.

This Satsuma porcelain incense burner comes from Japan and dates to the late 19th to early 20th century. It is enameled and gilded porcelain. Satsuma wares of this period were made largely for export and are known for dense, heavily gilt figure decoration. Here the round body is painted with bearded and haloed figures in patterned robes of green, blue, red and gold. Gilt lions form the two handles, crown the pierced domed lid and support the body as three legs. Beaded gold bands circle the shoulder. It is 16.13 inches high and 12.75 wide.

Every surface is decorated, and every lion is on duty.