Vase - Bronze - Japan - Eggplant Motif, Studs





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Bronze lost-wax cast flower vase by Niigata artist Satō Mitsuo (佐藤光男), featuring an incised eggplant motif and vertical studs, with a bulbous teardrop body, 25 cm high, 18 cm wide and 5 cm mouth, dating from 1900–2000, in good used condition and including the original wooden storage box and wrapping cloth.
Description from the seller
Item Description
This is a lost-wax cast bronze flower vase (rōgata seidō kabin) by the Niigata metalwork artist Satō Mitsuo (佐藤光男 Satō Mitsuo), decorated with an incised eggplant (nasu) motif on the body. The vase has a bulbous, teardrop-shaped body tapering to a narrower neck and flared mouth, finished in a warm bronze patina with green and russet tonal variation typical of traditional Japanese bronze casting.
Rows of small raised bronze studs run vertically along both sides of the body, adding a tactile, sculptural texture that contrasts with the smooth engraved eggplant branch and leaves on the front. The base bears an incised artist's mark. This piece was acquired from an old Japanese family household (kyūka) and is suited for use in ikebana (flower arrangement) or as a decorative object in a tea ceremony or traditional interior setting.
The vase comes with its original wooden storage box (tomobako) and wrapping cloth (tomonuno), as shown in the photographs.
Approximate size, based on the seller's measurement: height 25 cm, width 18 cm, mouth diameter 5 cm; please allow for minor measuring variance as these are non-professional measurements.
Artist Profile
Satō Mitsuo is a Japanese metalwork artist (kinko-ka) based in Niigata Prefecture and a registered member of the Japan Kogei Association (公益社団法人日本工芸会). He has exhibited works in several prestigious national exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展) and the Traditional Kogei Japan Metalwork Exhibition (伝統工芸日本金工展). Documented exhibited pieces include lost-wax bronze flower vessels such as "Haru wo Matsu" (Spring Awaiting) and cast purple-copper works such as "Tsutsumu" and "Tokio Matsu," shown at exhibitions ranging from the 34th to the 72nd editions of these events. His practice centers on lost-wax bronze casting (rōgata chūzō) and cast purple-copper (imurasaki-dō) techniques, with a particular focus on floral vessels within the Japanese traditional crafts tradition.
Condition
Consistent with an old household piece kept in long-term storage, the vase shows minor surface wear, light scratches, and handling marks; no cracks or losses were observed on visual inspection. Please refer to the photographs for a full assessment of surface condition.
Additional Information
Technique: lost-wax bronze casting (rōgata seidō chūzō)
Origin: Niigata, Japan
Provenance: from an old Japanese household (kyūka gura-dashi)
Accessories: original wooden storage box (tomobako) and wrapping cloth (tomonuno), as pictured
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Seller's Story
Item Description
This is a lost-wax cast bronze flower vase (rōgata seidō kabin) by the Niigata metalwork artist Satō Mitsuo (佐藤光男 Satō Mitsuo), decorated with an incised eggplant (nasu) motif on the body. The vase has a bulbous, teardrop-shaped body tapering to a narrower neck and flared mouth, finished in a warm bronze patina with green and russet tonal variation typical of traditional Japanese bronze casting.
Rows of small raised bronze studs run vertically along both sides of the body, adding a tactile, sculptural texture that contrasts with the smooth engraved eggplant branch and leaves on the front. The base bears an incised artist's mark. This piece was acquired from an old Japanese family household (kyūka) and is suited for use in ikebana (flower arrangement) or as a decorative object in a tea ceremony or traditional interior setting.
The vase comes with its original wooden storage box (tomobako) and wrapping cloth (tomonuno), as shown in the photographs.
Approximate size, based on the seller's measurement: height 25 cm, width 18 cm, mouth diameter 5 cm; please allow for minor measuring variance as these are non-professional measurements.
Artist Profile
Satō Mitsuo is a Japanese metalwork artist (kinko-ka) based in Niigata Prefecture and a registered member of the Japan Kogei Association (公益社団法人日本工芸会). He has exhibited works in several prestigious national exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展) and the Traditional Kogei Japan Metalwork Exhibition (伝統工芸日本金工展). Documented exhibited pieces include lost-wax bronze flower vessels such as "Haru wo Matsu" (Spring Awaiting) and cast purple-copper works such as "Tsutsumu" and "Tokio Matsu," shown at exhibitions ranging from the 34th to the 72nd editions of these events. His practice centers on lost-wax bronze casting (rōgata chūzō) and cast purple-copper (imurasaki-dō) techniques, with a particular focus on floral vessels within the Japanese traditional crafts tradition.
Condition
Consistent with an old household piece kept in long-term storage, the vase shows minor surface wear, light scratches, and handling marks; no cracks or losses were observed on visual inspection. Please refer to the photographs for a full assessment of surface condition.
Additional Information
Technique: lost-wax bronze casting (rōgata seidō chūzō)
Origin: Niigata, Japan
Provenance: from an old Japanese household (kyūka gura-dashi)
Accessories: original wooden storage box (tomobako) and wrapping cloth (tomonuno), as pictured
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.

