Anonymous

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Cloisonné vase

Bulbous cloisonné vase on silvered bronze rims. A dragon circles the body of the vase with intricate rim patterns. The use of mixed thicknesses of wire has been used. The enamel work has been masterfully done with graduated enamels creating a shading and life-giving effect.

Unsigned.

177mm x 100mm

Anonymous

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Koro

An extremely elaborate wire cloisonné incense burner in the Kyoto-jippo style. Gilt copper wire over a copper body with inner liner. The body is covered in designs of the myriad of treasures, the treasures are the raincoat of invisibility, wish-granting gem, purse of inexhaustible riches, crossed scroll, a keystone of the gods, magic mallet and hat of invisibility, and other items such as drums and musical instruments.  

This koro is attributed to Ota Toshiro who was the student of Hayashi Shogoro and worked in Shippo-cho opening a business in 1868. Ota Toshiro specialized in what is known as Kyotojippo-style during the late Meiji and Taisho periods. He was very well respected and won at the exposition and Grand Prix in Brussels 1910 and in many other awards at world expositions.

Unsigned Attributed to Ota Toshiro

122mm x 100mm  

Anonymous

Meiji period 19/20th century

1868-1912

Coffee cup and saucer

A cloisonne coffee cup and saucer with solid silver liner and bamboo-style brass handle. The exterior has black ring borders lined with a turquoise base. Fish scale design wires cover the body of both the cup and saucer with goldstone enamel.

Cup Size 80mm x 58mm

Saucer Size 115mm x 19mm

Unsigned

Anonymous

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Dish

A beautifully wired and enamelled cloisonné dish depicting Bodhisattva Monju riding a lion. Monju symbolizes wisdom and the enlightened mind and is often paired with Fugen Bosatsu. In Japanese artwork, Monju and Fugen are often shown flanking the Historical Buddha in a grouping called the Shaka TrinityWhen buddha first appeared he either stood, or sat on a lion throne, and Monju is accordingly possessor of the lion’s roar.

Unsigned Attributed to Nagoya workshops.

308mm

Anonymous

Meiji/ Taisho period 19/20th century

1868-1926

Cloisonne Belt

The belt is in the Uchidashi technique better known as Repousse. The panels have been beaten out from the reverse with cloisonne wire work on the front with transparent coloured enamel applied to the face.

Each panel is a different nature subject matter. Birds, plants, flowers and fish adorn a silver plate body and are held by a clasp and buckle.

Unsigned

Size 670mm x 50mm

Signed Unknown Artist

Meiji period 19th/20th century

1868-1912

Plate

A round plate in the Jitaisome Jippo (lacquered cloisonne porcelain) technique. Two geese are flying over chrysanthemums with a tree bark ground and geometric border.

Metal wires are laid into a porcelain body which is then lacquered and polished to give a finish similar to enamel cloisonne. This type of work was mostly made in the Nagoya area of Japan where there was a history of lacquered porcelain going back to the 1870s.

Size 303mm

Anonymous

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Koro

An oval form four-legged cloisonné koro using fine silver wire on a black ground. Designs of dragons a phoenix or ho-o bird with flower motifs. The dragon and phoenix are to represent the male and female aspects.

Unsigned

120mm x 125mm  

Anonymous

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Dish
A large dish charger of a seated samurai surrounded by a geometric diaper on a blue ground, He has a war fan in his right hand and scroll in his left. The dish is surrounded in the most intricate geometric patterns all in gilt wire, the armour is mostly done in an extremely fine silver wire which is very unusual of the period of this dish making it at the beginning of the silver wire technique.


The samurai depicted on the dish is likely to be the hero Kusunoki Masashige (born 1294?, Japan—died July 4, 1336, Minato-gawa, Settsu province, Japan), one of the greatest military strategists in Japanese history. Kusunoki’s devoted himself to the emperor has made him a legendary figure representing loyalty and devotion. After the imperial restoration of 1868, a splendid shrine was erected to him on the site of his supposed death. (1294-1336)

Unsigned

Attributed to Seizaburo Goto of Honcho-dori
30.5cm