Japanese Black Cloisonne Vase with Cranes by Sato, Mid 20th Century, Japan

A very large and exuberantly decorated Japanese Satsuma millefleur covered vase, marked Satsuma, Showa period, mid 20th century, Japan. The large vase of attractive baluster form, with a slightly splayed foot, narrow waist, and tapered body with high shoulders and short neck. The vase topped by a domed cover with a large finial shaped like a hoju, the wish fulfilling jewel. The vase decorated all over in a dense field of flowering blossoms - peony, lotus, and chrysanthemum - in a design known as millefleur, or a thousand flowers. The flowers freely and cheerfully painted in various colors of red, white, orange, green, blue and yellow, with raised white enamels...

A large and boldly painted Korean "Bamboo and Plum" underglaze iron brown porcelain vase, 20th century, Korea. The large porcelain vase of baluster vase form with generous proportions. The bulbous body with high, wide shoulders, tapering down to a flat recessed foot. The body decorated in underglaze iron brown with large designs of tall, leafy bamboo stalks to one side. The opposite side with gnarled branches of blossoming plum. Bamboo is revered in Korea, and Asia in general for its strength, flexibility and quick growing nature. Plum is invested with similar ideals, representing strength and resilience, as it flowers in the depth of winter. The neck and shoulders featuring a design of stylized clouds. The base with a band of stylized waves. All in underglaze iron brown. The vase with a transparent overglaze of bluish white. The vase modeled after a 16th century Joseon vase...