Description
Inlaid with Gold and Silver
From our Japanese collection, we are thrilled to offer a Japanese Pair of Meiji Period Bronze Vases. The Japanese Bronze Vases of elongated form each surmounted by waisted necks flanked by two spreading handles having accents resembling the form of Japanese Torri Gates (traditional Japanese gates) above a bulbous body upon a spreading circular base. The vases boldly decorated with gold, silver, shibuichi and shakudo using both hirazogan and takazogan techniques with berries amongst foliage and silver bellied sparrows. Across the neck, lapels of silver hearts boarder the gilt lip with further anamorphic dragon figures and draped inlay. The Japanese Bronze Vases date to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the second half of the 19th century circa 1890.
Shibuichi 四分一 Japanese copper alloy
Zogan 象嵌 Japanese word for Metal Inlay
Takaniku zogan or taka zogan 高象嵌 Mound Inlay technique, inlay of raised or high relief solid sheet metal. The forms of this technique can also be carved, engraved and inlaid.
Hira zogan 平象嵌 the inlay of sheet metal flush with the base metal
Shakudō 赤銅 A billion of gold and copper which can be patinated or left in its original state which resembles bronze.
Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era.
Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist Namikawa Yasuyuki.
Measures 55cm High x 15.5cm Wide x 14cm Deep (21.65 x 6.1 x 5.5 Inches)
Condition Very Good antique condition
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