– Signed Seikan (静寛) – a Japanese lacquer (urushi) flower vessel in the classical maki-e tradition – Surface decorated with scattered ōgi (folding-fan) motifs in fine gold and silver maki-e, set against a deep, warm lacquer ground – Generous tabletop proportions for a hanaike: height approximately 27.5 cm, body diameter approximately 15 cm, mouth diameter approximately 8 cm Summary: A signed Japanese lacquerware flower vase (hanaike) by Seikan, decorated in the classical maki-e tradition with scattered folding-fan (ōgi) motifs in gold and silver against a deep, warm lacquer ground. Maki-e – the technique of sprinkling gold and silver powders onto wet lacquer to create raised, painterly designs – is one of the great Japanese decorative traditions, refined over more than a thousand years. The vase combines this jewel-like surface treatment with a generous, well-proportioned form suited to ikebana display on a tokonoma shelf or a sideboard. A collector’s piece for European admirers of urushi and Japanese decorative arts. Urushi lacquer, derived from the sap of the lacquer tree, is one of Japan’s most refined craft traditions. Built up in many thin coats, each painstakingly applied and cured, the surface develops a depth and luminosity unlike any other decorative finish. Maki-e – literally “sprinkled picture” – is the most prestigious form of lacquer decoration, in which fine metal powders are dusted into the wet final layers to create raised motifs that catch the light from any angle. The fan motif (ōgi) is a beloved subject in Japanese decorative art, carrying associations with court culture, dance, poetry, and the seasonal display of refinement. Scattered fans – fans dispersed across a ground in different sizes and orientations – is a particularly elegant compositional convention, suggesting movement and the passage of time. Seikan’s treatment here applies that vocabulary with confident, balanced placement. The form is a substantial hanaike with a slightly waisted profile, a generous body, and a contained mouth – proportions that suit either a small upright bouquet or a single dramatic stem. The interior is glazed or sealed appropriately for use with cut flowers. In a European interior the piece works beautifully as a quiet anchor. It pairs naturally with dark wood, with paler stone surfaces, and with restrained contemporary lighting that lets the gold sparkle of the maki-e do its work. Condition: light interior wear is reported, consistent with use. The lacquer surface and maki-e decoration read clearly; some honest age-related marks may be present. Careful review is recommended. A signed Japanese lacquerware piece in a classical maki-e register. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese lacquerware and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1628