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Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Miniature Covered Urn Gilt Wire Shishi Foo Dog 8cmDescription
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Miniature Decorative Urn
On offer is a beautifully made Japanese miniature lidded decorative urn. There are no pierced openings in the vessel or lid to indicate an incense-burning function, so I believe covered decorative urn is the most appropriate description.
At only 8 cm tall, this is cloisonné at true miniature scale, where every millimetre has to hold its own pattern. Producing such fine wire and enamel work on something this small leaves remarkably little room to work.
The enamel flowers in turquoise, blue, green, red, pink and white are held in place by extraordinarily fine twisted gilt wire, wound round and round to build up the pattern. Even the feet and tall swept-up handles are covered with detailed work.
A small shishi guardian lion standing sentinel on the lid gives the piece real personality, while underneath the lid is an unexpected rich blue enamel. Little details like these make you appreciate just how much work has gone into an object only 8 cm high.
During my research I found a particularly close comparison in Gary H. Yoshino's respected reference book on Japanese cloisonné enamel. The illustrated piece has very similar raised handles, decorated feet, twisted-wire construction and a shishi finial, and is catalogued as Japanese Meiji-period openwork cloisonné.
This piece is unmarked, so the Meiji attribution is based on its construction and this closely related published comparison rather than a maker's mark.
Size
Height: 8 cm
Width: 6 cm
Weight: 92 g
Condition
Overall it displays very well, it has appropriate patination for its age and some small spots of enamel loss.
The photographs are deliberately clear and close-up, so please view them to appreciate seeing the remarkable detail in this little piece.
Postage & Delivery
Delivery options to UK postcodes and Global Shipping are in the listing
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