Large Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase / Jardiniere - Leaping Koi. Circa 1870.

Large Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase / Jardiniere with Leaping Koi. Circa 1870.

Rare Japanese cloisonne enamel vase. The exterior adorned with flowers and foliage surrounded by various geometrical patterns. Side decorations comprising of Leaping Koi in a waterfall, and Bird amongst flowers. The top decorated with flowers and birds flying within stylised clouds. Vivid greens, blues, reds and pink multi-coloured enamel work typical of period and style. High-quality cloisonné for the era, with skilled brass wire work. Substantial use of wires, both decorative and functional in anchoring the enamel in early Japanese cloisonne work. Fine wire work and enamelling technique of the period.

Attributed to workshop Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83), and possibly by Tsunekichi himself. The elaborate brass wire-work construction technique decorated with vivid and various coloured enamels and geometric patterns, typical of Kaji works.

Condition: Good for early and large Japanese cloisonne pieces. Some enamel firing losses and general imperfections typical of cloisonne work of this technique and era. Some enamel infill areas between base and mid-section (as per photos).

Dimensions: (approx)

Height = 40 cm

Top diameter = 26.5 cm

Bottom diameter = 22 cm

* 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, taken on students and was appointed as the official maker of Cloisonné in the Owari province.