Description
Japanese bronze and mixed metals vase by Jomi Eisuke II, dating to the Meiji period circa 1885. The vase is of compressed ovoid form with a short rolled neck and deep natural bronze patination, decorated with a flowering cherry blossom branch inlaid in shakudo with silver blossoms and gold accents.
The decoration is arranged with restraint across the surface, allowing the dark bronze ground to remain dominant while the mixed metal blossom branch moves naturally around the body. The silver flowers are finely worked with delicate gilt stamens and subdued tonal contrast against the darker shakudo branch, reflecting the controlled metalwork associated with late nineteenth century Japanese bronze production.
The vase retains the famous circular seal mark of Jomi sei, “made by Jomi”, identifying the work of Jomi Eisuke II, one of the highly regarded bronze artists working during the Meiji period.. His works are often characterised by carefully balanced compositions, subtle mixed metal decoration and strong patinated surfaces rather than heavily ornamented export designs.
Bronzes of this type were produced for display within refined interiors during the late nineteenth century, when Japanese metalworkers increasingly combined traditional alloy techniques with simplified natural subjects suited to both domestic and export markets.
The vase remains a well balanced example of Meiji period Japanese mixed metals work with understated cherry blossom decoration and strong sculptural form.
View the full Japanese Collection.
Reference
- Royal Collection Trust RCIN 54953 and RCIN 54952
- Hopp Museum Accession No. 53.312.1 and Accession No. 53.318.1
- Walters Art Museum Accession No. 54.1501
MEASUREMENTS
14.5cm High x 6.5cm Diameter (5.7 x 2.56 Inches)
CONDITION
Good antique condition, minor indentation to the side above the left hand petals (see close up photo)
WHO WAS Jomi Eisuke II?
Jomi Eisuke II , also known as Shōbi Eisuke, was a highly regarded Japanese bronze artist working in Kyoto during the Meiji period. Continuing the success of the family workshop established by his father, Jomi Eisuke I, he became known for finely executed mixed metal bronzes combining patinated surfaces with delicate silver, gold and shakudo inlay.
The Jomi workshops supplied works to the Imperial Household Agency and gained international recognition through participation in major world exhibitions, receiving awards at the Paris Expositions Universelles of 1878 and 1889. Operating from Kyoto, the workshop employed a large network of specialist craftsmen and produced bronzes that balanced traditional Japanese metalworking techniques with the refined decorative tastes of the late nineteenth century export market.
WHAT IS THE JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)?
The Meiji era marked Japan’s transformation into a modern nation and a golden age of decorative arts. With the end of samurai rule and Japan’s opening to the West, artisans produced works of exceptional quality for both domestic and international audiences. Supported by the government through world fairs and Imperial commissions, Japanese lacquerware, cloisonné, satsuma ceramics, bronzes, and ivory carvings reached collectors worldwide. Many leading artists of the time, including Makuzu Kozan and Namikawa Yasuyuki, were honoured as Imperial Household Artists, ensuring the Meiji period remains one of the most celebrated eras of Japanese art.
For further information please see our article Japanese Meiji Period: Art, Collecting, and Cultural Transformation.
WHAT IS BRONZE?
Bronze has been one of the most widely used materials in art and design for centuries, valued for its strength, durability, and ability to capture fine detail. Popular from ancient civilisations to the 19th century, bronze has been used for statues, decorative objects, and functional pieces alike. In the late 19th century, artists in Vienna, including Franz Xaver Bergmann, perfected the technique of cold-painting, adding rich layers of colour to bronze without firing. This innovation, along with the appeal of bronze’s patina and texture, ensures that antique bronze objects remain highly collectible today.
For further information please see our article Bronze Sculpture: History, Composition, and Casting Techniques.
What is Shakudo 赤銅?
Shakudo 赤銅 is a traditional Japanese alloy made primarily of copper with a small amount of gold, usually around 4-7%. What makes it special isn’t just the metal itself, but the way it’s treated. Through a patination process using a special solution called rokusho, the surface turns a deep, velvety black or dark blue-black. This rich colour was especially prized by swordsmiths and metalworkers for use on sword fittings, ornaments, and inlaid details. Shakudo was often paired with gold, silver, or other alloys in fine inlay work, creating a striking contrast that highlighted both texture and technique.
WHY BUY FROM JACKSONS ANTIQUE?
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