Description
Rare Brandy Glass Shape
From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase by Shobido of Osaka.
The vase is of rare brandy glass form with a bulbous body and splayed base, decorated in a bold black enamel glaze. At its centre, a quail is depicted among blossoming flowers, with strong blue tones creating a striking contrast against the dark ground.
The base is signed with the Shobido company mark. This Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase dates to the first half of the 20th century during the early Showa period, circa 1940.
Provenance
Sourced from a UK single owner collection of mid century Japanese Cloisonne Enamel.
Shobido
was primarily known as a retailer for high-end giftware including yusen-jippo cloisonne. Examples of Shobido cloisonne vases are often very innovative and incorporate many techniques. The mark typically formed in wire in the base and not too dissimilar to the Ando Company mark.
CLOISONNE
Cloisonné is a traditional decorative art that involves applying thin metal wires to form compartments (cloisons) on a metal surface, which are then filled with colourful enamel. After multiple firings and polishings, the result is a vibrant, glass-like finish with intricate designs. The technique has roots in ancient China but was perfected in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912), often referred to as the Golden Age of Cloisonné. Japanese artists developed advanced methods such as musen shippō(wireless cloisonné) and shōtai shippō (plique-à-jour), creating seamless, naturalistic, and even translucent effects. Highly prized for its precision, artistry, and beauty, Japanese cloisonné is regarded as one of the finest forms of enamel craftsmanship in the world and remains highly collectible today. See our post The Art of Japanese Cloisonné: History, Craftsmanship, and the Golden Age for further information.
SHOWA PERIOD (1926–1989)
The Showa era, under Emperor Hirohito, was a time of dramatic change in Japan. Spanning pre-war militarism, post-war recovery, and the “Japanese Economic Miracle,” the period reshaped both culture and craftsmanship. In the arts, traditional skills such as cloisonné, ceramics, and lacquerware adapted to modern tastes, balancing heritage with new design influences. Today, Showa-period works are valued for their blend of tradition and innovation, offering collectors a direct link to Japan’s transformation in the 20th century. See our post The Shōwa Period in Japan: From Turbulence to Transformation for further information.
Enamel (vitreous enamel)
also known as porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C. The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. The word vitreous comes from the Latin vitreous, meaning “glassy”.
Measurements
21cm High x 15cm Wide (8.3 x 5.9 Inches)
Condition
Very Good – minor wear
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