Fine Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Bowl. Circa 1870.

Fine Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Bowl. Circa 1870.

Superbly and finely decorated with brocades, stylised waves, mosaic crosshatching and grasses. High-quality cloisonné with tight brass wire work and multi- coloured enamels. Body is decorated mainly with patterns of Karakusa flowers and geometrical patterns. Top rim decorated with cloud motif with red enamel. The dark green enamel is unique to this era and came about through a botched attempt at recreating the turquoise blue of Ming Dynasty cloisonné. Substantial use of wires, both decorative and functional in anchoring the enamel in early Japanese cloisonne work. Attributed to workshop of Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83) with fine wire work and enamelling technique of the period.

Condition: Excellent condition, form and good circular shape. Very rare item of museum quality. Possibly signed on base (red mark) with original sales labels.

Dimensions: Height = 8.5cm; Diameter = 15cm (approx).

* In the 1830s, Kaji Tsunekichi of Nagoya obtained a piece of Cloisonné enamel and deconstructed it in order to examine how it had been made. He then reworked the piece to produce a small dish with wired enamel decoration. By the 1850s he had opened a workshop (Nagoya), taken on students and was appointed as the official maker of Cloisonné in the Owari Province.