Description
Abstract Decoration
From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase by the Ando Company.
The vase is of globular form with a tall trumpet neck, decorated with a deep green enamel ground and four abstract blossoming flowers in varying colours. The rims are mounted in silver and stamped with the Jungin 純銀 mark for pure silver, while the base bears the Ando Company mark. The vase stands on a splayed foot, enhancing its balanced silhouette.
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.
ANDO CLOISONNE COMPANY (安藤七宝店)
The Ando Cloisonné Company, founded in Nagoya in 1880, is one of Japan’s leading cloisonné enamel workshops. Known for pioneering techniques such as musen (wireless) cloisonné and plique-à-jour, Ando earned Imperial patronage and international acclaim. Today, the firm continues to produce exceptional cloisonné, preserving Japan’s rich enamel tradition while showcasing its artistry worldwide. See our makers and retailers page on the Ando Cloisonné Company (安藤七宝店)for further information.
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.
WIRELESS CLOISONNÉ (MUSEN SHIPPŌ)
Wireless cloisonné, or musen shippō (無線七宝), is a Japanese enamel technique developed in the late 19th century and perfected during the Meiji and Showa periods. Unlike traditional cloisonné, where metal wires form visible compartments, the musen method removes the wires during firing. This leaves smooth fields of colour and seamless transitions, allowing for more natural or abstract designs.
The technique was pioneered by masters such as Namikawa Sōsuke and later advanced by workshops like the Ando Company. It became especially popular in the early 20th century, often used for modern floral motifs and bold geometric decoration. Today, musen shippō is highly regarded for its technical difficulty and striking visual effect, making it one of the most collectible forms of Japanese cloisonné enamel.
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
30.5cm High x 17cm Wide (12 x 6.7 Inches)
Condition
Very Good, very small indentation to the top metal rim as pictured
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