A refined shippô 七宝 (cloisonné enamel) vase by Shibata Akira 柴田明 (b. 1942). Of elegant triangular form with a lozenge-shaped base and mouth, the surface is decorated with a rhythmic pattern of V-shaped bands in muted purple tones set against a white ground. The design has a clean, abstract character. Executed in the silver-wire cloisonné technique yûsen shippô 有線七宝, with fine wires precisely outlining the pattern beneath translucent enamel layers. Signed to the underside: 明 (Akira). Shibata Akira 柴田明 (b. 1942), from Yokkaichi City (Mie Prefecture), is a leading contemporary cloisonné artist. Trained at the Andô Cloisonné Company 安藤七宝店, he works in the traditional yûsen technique, executing all stages of production himself. Since 1970 he has been regularly selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dentô Kôgeiten), receiving multiple awards. He is a full member of the Japan Kôgeikai 日本工芸会. Complete with the original signed & sealed wooden tomobako 共箱 (storage box), inscribed ‘yûsen shippô chûshô kabin’ 有線七宝抽象花器 (silver-wire cloisonné abstract vase). The box bears a label dated 2015 and is accompanied by a Japanese leaflet with details on the artist. Period: Japan – Heisei period, Anno 2015 Dimensions: Height 25.4 cm, Width 15.2 cm, Depth 7.8 cm In excellent condition. Please refer to the photographs for a clear condition reference. When shipped, a certificate of authenticity will be included.