07/30/2026
The Museum has a new display for our Satsuma Palace Urns and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much, Mike Forrest, for donating your woodworking skills to create this for our exhibit, making these collection pieces stand out beautifully.
These Satsuma Palace Urns, donated by Mary Miles Clanton (1989), are traditional Japanese pottery that originated in the Satsuma Domain on Kyushu Island of Japan during the late 16th century. Like porcelain, these urns are also a ceramic but typically made from earthenware. Early potters were influenced by Korean and Chinese techniques, leading to the development of earthenware that showcased beautiful, vibrant glazes.
Characterized by their cream-colored or beige backgrounds, they are often adorned with gold and detailed painted decorations that may include floral motifs, figures, and traditional scenes. They are functional but also used as beautiful decorative pieces in traditional ceremonies including weddings, tea ceremonies, and memorial services.
Satsuma urns are often regarded as symbols of prosperity, good fortune, and ancestral reverence, elevating their importance in various cultural and social contexts.
See these special pieces at the Porcelain Art Museum in Oklahoma City, W-F, 9-5. www.porcelainartmuseum.org
