Description
This pair of Japanese cloisonné enamel vases by Hayashi Kihyoe date to the Meiji period, circa 1900, and are of elegant tapered form with bulbous upper bodies, tightly pinched necks and silver mounted rims. Decorated upon a soft pale green ground, the pair demonstrate both traditional wired cloisonné and the refined musen shippo (wireless cloisonné) technique for which Hayashi Kihyoe became renowned.
Each vase is decorated with a flock of herons standing amongst reeds and flowing water, the birds carefully outlined in fine silver wire while the river and grasses are rendered using the musen shippo technique. By eliminating the visible wire within these elements, the enamel creates gentle transitions of colour that give the landscape a softer, more natural appearance, contrasting with the crisp definition of the herons.
The pale green ground provides a subtle backdrop to the decoration, allowing the herons to stand out against the river landscape. The composition continues around each vase with the birds arranged amongst flowing water and grasses, creating an uninterrupted scene that makes full use of both wired and wireless cloisonné techniques.
The underside of each vase is signed with the character Ki (輝) within a heart shaped reserve, the mark used by Hayashi Kihyoe (1848-1931). The silver mounted rims provide a subtle finish to the elegant forms while complementing the soft tones of the enamel decoration.
The vases remain in excellent condition with bright enamels, well preserved silver mounts and finely executed decoration throughout, making them an excellent example of Hayashi Kihyoe’s work from the closing years of the Meiji period.
View the full Japanese collection.
MEASUREMENTS
25cm High x 13.5cm Diameter (9.84 x 5.3 Inches)
CONDITION
Excellent
Who was Hayashi Kihyoe?
Hayashi Kihyoe was one of the foremost cloisonné artists employed by the Ando Company and is regarded as one of the leading craftsmen working during the Meiji period. His work is recognised for its precise enamelling and accomplished use of both wired and wireless cloisonné techniques, qualities clearly demonstrated by this pair.
WHAT IS 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.
For further information see our article The Art of Japanese Cloisonné: History, Craftsmanship, and the Golden Age.
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.
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