Japanese Totai Shippo Small Lidded Jar. Cloisonne with Gold Maki-e. Bird and Flowers. Circa 1890.

Japanese Totai Shippo Small Lidded Jar, with Bird and Flowers. Circa 1890.

Traditional Japanese Ginger ceramic vessel, originally used for storing spices like ginger. These jars are characterized by their rounded, squat bodies and domed or flattish lids.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain with smooth urushi lacquer finish. Superbly decorated with bird sitting in a branch with poeonies flowering in full bloom being visited by a butterfly, and foliage fruiting with berries.

An extremely difficult process with superb workmanship and rich colours. Beautiful decoration with gold Maki-e contrast*.

Condition: Urushi lacquer work and porcelain in excellent original condition, including Lid.
[Display stand not included].

Dimensions:

Height = 14 cm

Diameter (widest point) = 11.5 cm

*Maki-e: Where gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to create intricate designs and shimmering effects.

**Totai shippo, meaning "body cloisonné," is a Japanese ceramic technique where urushi lacquer cloisonne decoration is applied to a ceramic or porcelain base. This difficult technique was developed around 1868 by Sukamoto Kaisuke. Totai shippo or “Tree-bark” cloisonne is relatively fragile due to the delicate multi-layering and surfacing technique. This example with urushi lacquer applied in a smooth finish.