A fine and large pair of Satsuma vases Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, circa 1900 The tall vases gently tapering slightly to the foot ending in a splayed foot and painted in polychrome enamels and gilt on a crackled glaze, each decorated around the shoulder with four shaped panels containing birds in blossoming flowers, and groups of beauties and children engaged in various activities associated with New Year celebrations, all against a ground of autumn maples above a continuous frieze containing a landscape and a bridge over a waterway with sailing vessels before distant mountains, or a pastoral scene with cherry trees in full bloom, the lower register painted with stands of chrysanthemums, the neck and foot decorated with chrysanthemums and coiling vines, signed on the underside in gilt Yabu Meizan 9 1/4in (23.5cm) high