An Exceedingly Fine Pair of Miniature Japanese Mixed Metal Bronze Vases, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

 

Both bottle-shaped & panelled bodies richly decorated with finely worked motifs using both shibuichi & shakudo techniques, depicting cranes in flight on one side, with others standing in grassy marshes on the opposing side. Their finely detailed silvered bodies accented with copper highlights and gold limbs. Both vases remain in very good overall condition and exhibit a fine old patina overall, while retaining their original finely carved wood bases. Height of vases, 4”, (with bases) 4.5” high.    

 

Shibuichi is a technique using an alloy of silver & copper, whereas Shakudo is a technique using an alloy of gold & copper. These techniques are recorded as having been used prior to the 18th century to decorate Samurai swords, but with the advent of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Japanese sword makers turned instead to using these techniques on various forms of metalware & decorative arts.                       

 

(Note that the darkened areas shown are simply the tarnished mixed metal sections that have not been polished to preserve the overall natural patina which has taken decades to develop. That said, the areas of mixed metal could certainly be cleaned or polished by carefully using a cotton swab).

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