PR MONUMENTAL 18 " MEIJI - PERIOD JAPANESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL COPPER VASE CRANE EAGLE
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:105971 |
HERE’S A SPECTACULAR PAIR OF MONUMENTAL 18” MEIJI-PERIOD JAPANESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL-ON-COPPER VASES DEPICTING MANCHURIAN CRANES, AN EAGLE ATTACKING A MANCHURIAN CRANE, CHRYSANTHEMUMS, LILIES, CHERRY BLOSSOMS, AMONG OTHER TYPES OF BIRDS, TREES, FLOWERS, AND INSECTS – ALL OF WHICH ARE SET AGAINST A GORGEOUS ROBIN’S EGG BLUE ENAMELING!Please Note: These top-level Japanese cloisonné vases were recently acquired from an important estate in Carmel, California owned by a well-known co...llector of Asian art and design. These vases had been on loan to more than one museum prior to being sold.Again, each cloisonné vase measures approximately eighteen inches (18”) in height, ten inches (10”) across the body of the vase at its widest point, six and one half inches (6 ½”) in diameter across the top of the vase, by six and one quarter inches (6 1/4”) in diameter across the base.This pair of monumental Japanese cloisonné enamel-on-copper vases dates to the last half of the 19th century when Japan's new leaders realized that the historic skills of the metalworker, lacquerer, enameller and ceramic artist could play a vital part in the struggle to compete in international markets.Examples of Japanese cloisonné like ones being sold here offer a unique Meiji-period style that blends the best of traditional design with prevailing international taste, and display an unrivaled quality of their craftsmanship.Also, Please Note: While these Japanese cloisonné vases were intended to be a pair when created, their subject is similar but different. One of the vases displays a total of four (4) Manchurian cranes, all of which are either depicted in flight or peacefully enjoying their perch within the trees. The second vase displays a total of three Manchurian cranes, two of which are depicted in flight and one is being attacked by an eagle. The eagle has its hooked beak grasped around the cranes neck. Death is imminent.Condition: Very good and clean condition as recently found at an important estate in Carmel, California owned by a well-known collector of Asian art and design. There are a few scattered small scratches, a few very small unobtrusive dark spots, and a couple of very small surface markings / abrasions (but these are small and barely visible). Overall, these examples of Meiji-period Japanese cloisonné are still outstanding – not to mention sizable!Shipping: These vases will be individual packed and shipped for safety reasons. To this end, domestic buyer pays a flat-rate of $160.00 for secure packing and USPS priority within the United States. Again, due to the size and fragility of these cloisonne vases, each vase will be individually packed and shipped in its own sturdy double-box.Selected International buyer pays calculated shipping depending on country. (International shipping is “only” available to: United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Japan, Israel, and New Zealand. If you are "not located" in one of these countries, please do not bid without contacting me for approval. Thank you.) Manufacture of Antique Japanese Cloisonné of the Meiji Period (information courtesy the website for Guest & Gray) Cloisonné had been made in Japan centuries before, but the Japanese had lost the skill. In the nineteenth century one keen craftsman, Kaji Tsunekichi, wanted to reintroduce it. By destroying a piece of Chinese cloisonné he worked out how it was made and started making cloisonné himself. With the growing move towards decorative crafts during the Meiji period, the skill was taken up by others, including extremely highly skilled workmen, such as Namikawa Yasuyuki, Namikawa Sōsuke (unrelated although having a common name), Kawade Shibataro, Hayashi Kodenji and many others. As with other crafts, the Japanese not only developed considerable skill with cloisonné, but they took the technique to a whole new level, unseen anywhere else in the world. Cloisonné is essentially made by taking a base object, such as a copper vase, and laying on it a design made up of small cells (called cloisons) constructed from thin wires. Some of these cells are then filled with powdered class of a particular color and the object fired so that the glass melts to fill the cell. As the glass will shrink back as it is fired these cells are refilled and re-fired until the cell is full. The process is repeated using different colors in other cells (as each color fires at a different temperature) until the item is completely enameled with a multicolor design. Finally the enamel, which at this stage will be dull and lumpy, is polished to give a superb porcelain appearance of a completed item. In order to make the surface stable, cloisonné around the world is generally made by covering the surface of the item with many small cells. The Japanese developed the ability to produce items with completely plain large areas, with a few small cells just in certain parts giving, for example, floral designs similar to their flower arrangements (ikebana). They went further, developing the skill to generate designs with cells so small that you really need a magnifying glass to appreciate them fully. They started using silver, or even gold, for the wires and sometimes for the base item itself. They then went further again, making items from which part way through the process they removed the original wires forming the cells, so the item just ended up with a completely enameled surface (“musen” cloisonné). Alternatively they left the wires, but removed the base, generating delicate transparent glass wired items (“plique-à-jour”). There are numerous other strange techniques. The best pieces of Japanese cloisonné, often just a few inches high, perhaps 2 or 3 inches, could take many months to make. When you start looking at Japanese cloisonné it’s easy to become obsessed with its quality. Its beauty can be outstanding. It is a relatively specialized area to collect with far fewer pieces than, say netsuke, but equally rewarding. !!! TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BIDDING ON THIS AUCTION !!!1) COMMUNICATION FROM THE WINNING BIDDER IS ESSENTIAL -- PLEASE CONTACT ME WITHIN 3 DAYS FROM THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE YOUR PAYMENT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD! THANK YOU!2) THERE IS A SHIPPING COST STIPULATED IN THE AUCTION DESCRIPTION FOR BOTH DOMESTIC WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING TO SELECTED COUNTRIES (PLEASE SEE ITEM #3).3) BECAUSE OF TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OVERSEAS SHIPMENTS, I “ONLY” SHIP TO SELECTED INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES, WHICH INCLUDE: UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, FRANCE, BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND, SPAIN, DENMARK, SWEDEN, FINLAND, NORWAY, JAPAN, ISRAEL, AND NEW ZEALAND. IF YOU ARE NOT LOCATED IN ONE OF THESE COUNTRIES, PLEASE DO NOT BID WITHOUT CONTACTING ME FOR APPROVAL. THANK YOU.4) ALL DOMESTIC PACKAGES ARE SHIPPED VIA “USPS” MEDIA MAIL / BOOKRATE WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION UNLESS ANOTHER SHIPPING METHOD IS REQUESTED.5) ALL INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES ARE SHIPPED VIA “USPS” PRIORITY WITH PROOF OF DELIVERY RECEIPTS.6) ***IMPORTANT*** THE "DELIVERY CONFIRMATION" RECEIPTS AND "PROOF OF MAILING" RECEIPTS ARE MY WAY OF PROVING THAT A PACKAGE HAS BEEN SHIPPED.7) COMBINED SHIPPING: YES, I COMBINE ITEMS FOR SHIPMENT TO SAVE ON COSTS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A COMBINED SHIPPING COST. THANK YOU.8) IF USING PAYPAL, SUCCESSFUL BIDDER “MUST” MAKE PAYMENT WITHIN 3 DAYS FROM THE CLOSE OF AUCTION UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE SELLER. AGAIN, COMMUNICATION WITH THE SELLER IS IMPORTANT!9) IF SENDING PAYMENT VIA REGULAR MAIL, SUCCESSFUL BIDDER “MUST” MAKE PAYMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS FROM THE CLOSE OF AUCTION UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE SELLER. AGAIN, COMMUNICATION WITH THE SELLER IS IMPORTANT!10) CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS CAN ONLY BE MADE THROUGH PAYPAL.COM11) IF PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 3 DAYS FOR PAYPAL OR 10 DAYS FOR REGULAR MAIL AND THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE SELLER'S E-MAIL MESSAGES, THE ITEM IS SUBJECT TO RELISTING OR ANOTHER SALE – AND A “NON-PAYING” BIDDER CLAIM WILL BE FILED.12) PLEASE SEE ALL THE ACCOMPANYING IMAGES SHOWN ABOVE FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BOOK OR OTHER ITEM UP FOR AUCTION!13) AS OF MID-1999, AT THE REQUEST OF E-BAY ADMINISTRATION, THE FOLLOWING CLARIFICATION HAS BEEN ADDED TO ALL OF MY AUCTIONS: THE NAMES OF THE DESIGNERS, ARCHITECTS, ARTISTS, SCHOOLS, AND/OR ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS MENTIONED IN THIS AUCTION ARE ALSO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE BOOK, CATALOG, OR EPHEMERAL ITEM LISTED IN THIS AUCTION!IN THE EVENT THAT THE ITEM IS AN OBJECT, ALL SUCH NAMES ARE INCLUDED IN THE AUCTION DESCRIPTION TO PROVIDE HISTORICAL AND/OR BIOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT FOR THE ITEM!LASTLY, SHOULD THE WORD "EAMES" BE USED IN THE SEARCH TITLE, IT IS THERE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFERENCING THE MID-CENTURY TIME PERIOD OF THE 1940S THROUGH THE 1970S.14) THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED BY DESIGN REFERENCES -- ESTABLISHED BY A FORMER ART MUSEUM CURATOR TURNED BOOKSELLER SPECIALIZING in OUT-OF-PRINT and PERIOD MATERIALS on the PROGRESSIVE IDEAS of MODERNISM and POST-MODERNISM in DECORATIVE ARTS and ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRIAL and STUDIO ARTS of the 19TH & 20TH CENTURIES.15) PLEASE -- NO REQUESTS FOR PHOTOCOPIES OF THIS ITEM. I DO NOT MAKE PHOTOCOPIES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.16) AGAIN, COMMUNICATION IS KEY! IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING YOUR PAYMENT FOR THIS ITEM, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL WORK WITH YOU -- THANKS!17) LASTLY -- WHEN OBSTACLES AND PROBLEMS LOOM LARGE AND YOU SEEM TO BE AT A STAND STILL, REMEMBER THAT EVEN A FALTERING STEP FORWARD IS BETTER THAN NO STEP AT ALL.
