I have a vase, referred to by my family as an umbrella stand, that was owned by my grandparents and it is at least 60 years old. It may be quite a bit older. I believe it was probably purchased by my great aunt who lived in New York City around the turn of the twentieth century.

The vase is about two feet high and is made of porcelain or other ceramic material. It is decorated with raised floral designs and what appear to be serpents or dragons.

There is a stamp on the base of crossed flags showing a crescent moon and a star and some other design I cannot make out.

I am submitting some photos.

A man in Syracuse who identifies antiques said in his opinion it was Chinese export probably made in the early nineteenth century.

Can you help me identify this vase?

Japanese Satsuma from the 1930's

To me it seems like your vase is Japanese, from the first decades of the 20th century and somehow connected to the Satsuma style in its decoration.

The flowery top and bottom parts of the decoration are truly Chinese in style and feel. The flowers are Chrysanthemums - in China both the flower of the autumn season, and referred to in Chinese poetry as a symbol of scholars withdrawing from service rather than serving new rulers.

The middle section with it basketry design is on the other hand Japanese in style and the raised decoration as a whole what we expect from the Japanese Satsuma kiln.

The base mark is interesting. It does never - as far as I know - occurs anything like that in China, earlier than mid 20th century. Looking at how clear the mark is, it also looks like it has been applied to a porcelain body that has already been fired.

The thing is, no Chinese porcelain bodies was ever fired more than once and all underglaze decoration was always painted on unfired pieces.

The glossy glaze also indicates another place of production than China.

All this indicates Japan as the place of production.

The mark itself, finally, seems to consist of a Japanese square flag combined with the old Chinese triangular Imperial flag. The only instance when this could have occured is - again as far as I know - during the Japanese occupation of China in the mid 1930's.

This would coincide nicely with your indication that this vase being "at least 60 years old". All in all this is a nice and interesting piece, and the curious mark makes it even more interesting.

I would be most inetrested if someone with further information on this piece - or the mark - would email me and correct me if I am wrong, and if possibly tell the rest of the story about this mark.

Sincerely,
Jan-Erik Nilsson

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