Antique early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver floral bowl, exceptional and magnificent quality, double walled on a shaped spreading base, sides applied with silver and enameled panels decorated with floral pannels. The flowers on the bowl are; large peonies (botan), which are symbols of wealth, honour and prosperity in Japanese art. Surrounding are crysanthemums (kiku), which are associated with logevity and the Imperial household. Iris flowers which is a motif linked with courage and protection. Small insects and birds are also portrayed in smaller decorative panels on the bowl surrounded by a polished smooth finish. The artist has used colour selectively to animate the principal blossoms, allowing the brilliant silver relief to remain the dominant visual feature.
The colouring of the enamel ranges from crimson, salmon pink, amber, ochre, olive green, ivory and violet grey. This balance between sculptural metalwork and delicate enamel painting is one of the hallmarks of the finest decorative Japanese silver of the late Meiji period. The enamelled scrollwork around the foot repeats the colour palette found in the floral panels, tying the vessel together visually. These scrolling arabesques, with touches of green, yellow and aubergine enamel.
The piece dates to the Meiji period (1890-1912), acid tested shows a 950+ silver standard.
Reference Number: A00125
Antique early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver floral bowl, exceptional and magnificent quality, double walled on a shaped spreading base, sides applied with silver and enameled panels decorated with floral pannels. The flowers on the bowl are; large peonies (botan), which are symbols of wealth, honour and prosperity in Japanese art. Surrounding are crysanthemums (kiku), which are associated with logevity and the Imperial household. Iris flowers which is a motif linked with courage and protection. Small insects and birds are also portrayed in smaller decorative panels on the bowl surrounded by a polished smooth finish. The artist has used colour selectively to animate the principal blossoms, allowing the brilliant silver relief to remain the dominant visual feature.
The colouring of the enamel ranges from crimson, salmon pink, amber, ochre, olive green, ivory and violet grey. This balance between sculptural metalwork and delicate enamel painting is one of the hallmarks of the finest decorative Japanese silver of the late Meiji period. The enamelled scrollwork around the foot repeats the colour palette found in the floral panels, tying the vessel together visually. These scrolling arabesques, with touches of green, yellow and aubergine enamel.
The piece dates to the Meiji period (1890-1912), acid tested shows a 950+ silver standard.
Reference Number: A00125
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