Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Bat. Circa 1890.

Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Bat. Circa 1890.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain. Vase superbly decorated with Bats, flowers and fruiting foliage. The cloisonne and lacquer work is superlative with attention to detail, colour and precision. The brightness is significantly enhanced by the Kintsugi gold work.

An extremely difficult process with superb workmanship, rich colours and beautiful contrast. Porcelain vessel with the finest of Cloisonné work incorporating Traditional Japanese Urushi Lacquer, supplemented by the finest Kintsugi Techniques.

Condition: Superb. Whilst technically Kintsugi Technique is 'conservation work' the end result is better than original. Urushi lacquer work and porcelain in excellent condition. A micro-dot is affixed to the base, inscribed 'K', notably by the talented artist KintsugiWabiSabi.
[Display stand not included].

Height = 12 cm

Diameter (widest point) = 7 cm

*Kintsugi and Wabi-sabi represent a Japanese philosophy focused on embracing flaws and finding beauty in imperfection, aging, and transience. Kintsugi ("golden joinery") is the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, highlighting repairs rather than hiding them, while Wabi-sabi appreciates the aesthetic of the weathered and imperfect.
Kintsugi (Golden Joinery): A ~600-year-old technique where broken ceramics are mended with precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). It turns fractured items into unique pieces of art, celebrating their history and resilience rather than discarding them. Wabi-Sabi (Imperfection Aesthetics): A world view centered on finding beauty in natural imperfection (Wabi) and the charm of age (Sabi). It appreciates the simple, natural, and transient. Philosophy: This combination teaches that damage or imperfections are not flaws to be hidden, but part of an object's or person’s story, adding to its value and beauty.

**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.