花瓶 - Bronze - Japan - 金銀の象嵌、箱 (No reserve price)

Item Description
A cast copper vase from Takaoka, signed 峰雲 Houun, with gold and silver inlaid ginkgo leaves on a dark, finely speckled patinated surface. The form has a rounded body, a flared neck and a short foot. Three gold leaves and one silver leaf are inlaid on the shoulder and body, and one more gold leaf sits on the neck. The inlaid metal is set flush into engraved recesses, and the veining of each leaf is incised by hand. The rim is finished in a silver tone, and the interior is finished in black.

Takaoka, in Toyama Prefecture, has a casting tradition of more than 400 years and is designated a traditional craft of Japan. This vase is made in that tradition. The ginkgo is a traditional Japanese auspicious motif associated with longevity and prosperity. It suits a single stem or seasonal flowers in an entrance hall or tokonoma alcove.

The underside is inscribed in Japanese: "Commemorating the achievement of 90 billion yen in long-term mutual insurance holdings, Musashimurayama City Agricultural Cooperative, November 1991 (Heisei 3)." The vase was therefore made as a commemorative piece for that occasion. It comes with its original wooden box, inscribed 鋳銅花瓶 (Chūdō Kabin, "cast copper vase") with the maker's signature and seals, and an accompanying leaflet titled 青銅器の栞 (Seidōki no Shiori, "A Note on Bronze Ware"). The leaflet outlines the history of bronze ware and of Takaoka casting, including the invitation of casting masters to Takaoka by Maeda Toshinaga.

Size
Height: 20 cm
Width: 14 cm
Depth: 14 cm

Weight
1,110 g

Condition
Unused, complete with the signed wooden box and leaflet. Some fine dark specks are visible on the interior floor, as shown in the photos.

Additional Information
Maker: Houun (signed 峰雲作, "made by Houun"), Takaoka copperware, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Period: Made for a commemorative occasion in November 1991 (Heisei 3)
Materials: Cast copper with a patinated finish; gold and silver inlay
Technique: Casting with hand-engraved gold and silver inlay (kingin-zōgan)
Included: Original signed wooden box (tomobako) and leaflet (Seidōki no Shiori)