ANTIQUE 20thC JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD SOLID SILVER & ENAMEL BOWL C.1900

Antique early 20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver floral bowl, exceptional and magnificent quality, double walled on a shaped spreading base, the sides applied with silver and enamelled floral panels. The flowers on the bowl are large peonies (botan), which are symbols of wealth, honour and prosperity in Japanese art. Surrounding them are chrysanthemums (kiku), which are associated with longevity and the Imperial household, and iris flowers, 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 scrolling arabesques around the foot, with touches of green, yellow and aubergine enamel, repeat the colour palette found in the floral panels, tying the vessel together visually.

The piece dates to the late Meiji period (1890-1912), acid tested shows a 950+ silver standard.

Reference Number: A00125