Anonymous
Meiji period, 19/20th century
1868-1912
Dish
A large round dish with a central panel and complicated geometrical patterns around the outer edges. The wirework is gilt copper wire intricately laid to a very high standard. The central panel has a deep turquoise ground where a dragonfly hovers over a weaved basket of fruit. The dragonfly akidzu is the emblem of japan akidzushima and victory.
Goto was known as one of the first accomplished cloisonné artists in the early Meiji period, supposedly starting in Nagoya and moving to Yokoama circa 1872-4, ultimately with a workshop there at Uchida-cho. He had exhibited at many world and domestic expositions winning a multitude of prizes. In 1881 he won at the second Domestic Exposition, where he showed gold wirework and was commended for the “most improved technique”. Goto’s work was of a high standard throughout his carrier and good enough to be commissioned by the Royal House of Italy for King Umberto (1844-1990) and his wife Margherita of Savoy (1851-1926)
Unsigned but Attributed to
Seizaburo Goto of Honcho-dori
305mm