Large Japanese Satsuma Tripodal Koro

first half 20th century, the body of globular form with a short everted neck flanked by shishi-form handles, supporting a domed cover surmounted with gilt shishi finial, decorated to the exterior with figural scenes centered by the emperor at court, the whole raised on three zoomorphic-form legs.
h. 25", w. 19"

There is a 5" cruciform crack to the lower portion of the tripod body near one of the legs. The crack has been professionally repaired - filled and overpainted with foliage. On the inside of the koro, near the repair, there are two other subsequent cracks: the first is a 3" hairline crack, and the second is a crescent- form crack that encompasses most of the base diameter. The latter crack exhibits minor traces of overlaying filler. On the shishi-form handles, one figure has been repaired and overgilded in several places and has a loss to its ear. The other figure has a repair to one of its hind legs. There are some innate firing fissures to the shishi finial and notably to the legs. Over time, some of the leg fissures have opened up and a few have been filled. Fine crazing to glaze is present throughout the koro.