Description
Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase decorated with butterflies. The vase of wide globular shape with stepped shoulder and flared opening rim decorated with a strong dark blue ground with Jungin mark silver rims. The vase decorated with three polychrome butterflies of beautiful quality naturally flying around the vase. The bottom of the vase signed to the centre with two diamonds and the letter M. We have attributed the vase to the Kodenji workshop due to the extremely similar pieces with butterflies and believe the bottom mark to be a retailer’s mark who commissioned the piece from the workshop. The vase dates to the Meiji period (1868-1912) and is a superb example from the ‘golden era’ of cloisonne enamel work.
Notes | Hayashi Kodenji I student to Hayashi Shogoro (1835-1896) who played a pivotal role in training students in the art of cloisonne was a central figure in the cloisonné enamel industry well into the 20th century. Kodenji was the founder and head of the Shipo-cho enamelers guild and in 1894 he opened a school to train cloisonne workers that operated until 1907. He ran a showroom in Nagoya from 1907-1914 and also operated a sales branch in London. As a master of cloisonne wears he went on to win medals at expositions in Nuremberg 1885, Chicago 1893, Paris 1889 and St. Louis 1904 and finally a price at the Liege in 1905. He was awarded the Medal of the Green Ribbon in Japan (Ryokujuhosho) in 1902. Kodenji I went onto produce cloisonne wears with his son Suguemon (1859-1922) known as Kodenji II with virtually no easy distinction between either maker. They were both followed by Hayashi Tomijiro, Kodenji III (1879-1944) and Kurakichi Kodenji IV, (1904-1982).
Measurements | 20cm High x 21.5cm Wide (7.9 x 8.45 Inches)
Condition | Very Good, there is one small loss to the base enamel (please see photos) otherwise very light blemishes and surface scratches consistent with age.
