A Japanese copper bud vase (ichirin-zashi) with a relief band of stylised ancient pictographic characters, finished in a mottled red-brown and green patina. The vase has a pear-shaped body that rises into a long, slender neck with a flared mouth, and it stands on a low foot ring. A wide raised band of characters runs around the lower body, picked out in verdigris green on a textured ground and framed by fine lines. A narrow band with matching characters circles the neck. The rest of the surface has a mottled copper-red and dark green finish with gold-coloured flecks, in the manner of traditional Japanese coloured copperware. The base is recessed and lacquered red-brown. A single-flower vase like this is made to hold one stem or a small branch, and it also works well as a display piece on its own. Dimensions (measured against a ruler in the photographs): - Height: approx. 24 cm - Diameter at the widest point: approx. 7.5 cm Material: copper. The vase is solid and heavy for its size. There is no maker's mark or signature. Condition: good, used, with small signs of age. There is a small white spot on the base and a few lighter rubbed spots on the body. No cracks, dents or breaks. Please look carefully at the photographs, which form part of the description. Sold as-is. """-Method of shipment Japan Post or OrangeConnex, depending on the destination NOTICE The lot is carefully packaged and shipped from Japan with tracking. Delivery usually takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the destination country, and longer if customs holds the parcel. Customs and import taxes Buyers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal: this lot is shipped Delivered Duty Paid. All customs duties and import taxes are paid by us before the parcel leaves Japan, so nothing further is charged to you on delivery. Buyers elsewhere in the European Union: VAT is collected by Catawiki at checkout under our IOSS number, so you will not be asked to pay VAT again. A small customs duty may still be charged on import. Buyers outside the European Union: any customs duty or import tax charged by your country is payable by you. Customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you by phone or email to complete customs clearance. Please make sure that you can be reached, otherwise the parcel may be returned to us. Thank you for your understanding. """