A Japanese art-metal flower vase in the Takaoka tradition Decorated with the chrysanthemum and the Four Gentlemen (shikunshi) – plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum Generously sized at 24.5 cm tall, 17 cm at the widest, with an 8 cm mouth A handsome Japanese art-metal flower vase in the Takaoka tradition, cast in alloy and decorated with the chrysanthemum and the classical Four Gentlemen (shikunshi). At 24.5 cm tall and 17 cm at its widest, it makes an imposing display, well suited to a formal alcove, mantelpiece, or arrangement on a cabinet. As a working ikebana vessel and as decorative metalwork, it appeals strongly to European collectors of Japanese decorative arts. A matching second vase is available separately in the same sale. Takaoka, in present-day Toyama Prefecture, has been the historic centre of Japanese cast metalwork for over four centuries and was designated a national traditional craft in 1975. The Four Gentlemen (shikunshi) – plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum – are the four plants of classical East Asian painting, each representing a season and a Confucian virtue. The plum stands for resilience in winter, the orchid for quiet nobility, the bamboo for upright integrity, and the chrysanthemum for serene endurance into autumn. Together they form one of the most cultivated decorative themes in Asian art, signalling the taste and education of the owner. Traditionally, vases of this type were displayed in matching pairs in Japanese reception rooms and Buddhist altars, where balanced flanking vessels frame a central space. A matching second vase is available separately in the same sale – the two may be reunited by a buyer who wishes to recreate that arrangement. In a European interior, a vase like this works on a mantelpiece, a console table, a sideboard, or flanking a larger central object. Used for ikebana or simply displayed, it brings a quiet formality to a room. The vase is described as dead-stock – kept in storage after a period of display – with only minor surface rubs and an otherwise clean, well-preserved appearance. A handsome, formally satisfying piece in a cultivated decorative tradition. 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 metalwork and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1613