Antique Satsume pottery bowl / dish hand painted, gilded and enamelled. Made in Japan - 19th century. Measures 8 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 3/8 inches high. Exquisitely decorated shallow round bowl. The rim is red and gold and the inner border is a circle of golden clouds with raised gold borders. Within is a vignette of a Master / Sage / Holy man, dressed in a magnificent kimono, holding a long cane in one hand and pointing a finger in a gesture of command. He wears traditional old boots, his garments are richly decorated with raised enamelling and gilding in beautiful patterns of flowers, clouds and scrolls and the detail is exquisite: from the finger nail protector cap to the tiny hairs growing out of his ears. A halo like circle surrounds the figure's head, again with raised gold elegant clouds. Next to the tall figure is a little boy, legs wide apart as though ready to run or duck, bending to the side and holding out a golden cage, which presumably held ciccada's or a small bird. His clothes are no less wonderfully depicted than those of the older gentleman, but the colours are brighter, especially the red jacket. He wears a floppy gold cap on his head. His face is absolutely marvello with beautiful features and expression. There is no mark that we can find on the plate - front or back. Condition is very good, especially considering the age of the bowl. There is crazing, typical of pottery of this age. There are a few tiny spots where raised gold seems to have come off (see 'photos - greatly enlarged) and there is a small chip on the rim at the bottom on the back.