Caption

A slender miniature vase, with a belly widening slightly towards the top and narrow, straight arms. There is no neck, and the spout is in the form of a flat ring. The bottom is round, slightly recessed, with an engraved brand. The decoration is sparse, consisting of a naturalistically treated wisteria vine placed in the upper part of the belly on one side, from which a sumptuous flower cluster hangs down, almost to the end of the vase. Thanks to the masterly technique of combining various metals and alloys in one work, characteristic of Japanese craftsmanship of that period, the vessel gained colorfulness, enhanced by the darker tone of the decorative motif than the background. Although made of silver, through the use of gilding and black shakudo patina it is also colorful, enhancing the effect of fidelity to nature in the depiction of the plant, where naturalism is combined with sublime decorativeness. Maker: Nogawa. Role: creator/workshop. Date: ca. 1890–1900 Meiji Period, 1868–1912. Origin: Kyoto, Japan. Type: vessel vase. Materials/technique: silver with gilding and black shakudo patina; mixed metals/alloys. Subject: wisteria and butterflies. Dimensions: height 15.7 cm; width 5.3 cm., A tall cylindrical vase with a smooth glossy surface in a brownish yellow color stands against a plain gray background, decorated with a raised dark metallic botanical motif of cascading leaves and stems that hang from a group of larger dark leaves near the top; the vase tapers slightly toward the base and sits on a reflective pale surface, showing shades of brownish yellow, dark gray, black, and gray in the surrounding area.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A24_470

License type

Rights managed

Available size

49.3Mb (683.5Kb) / 9.6in x 20.0in / 2872 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

A slender miniature vase belly widening slightly towards top narrow straight arms no neck spout form flat ring bottom round slightly recessed engraved brand decoration sparse consisting naturalistically treated wisteria vine placed upper part side sumptuous flower cluster hangs down almost vase Thanks masterly technique combining various metals alloys work characteristic Japanese craftsmanship period vessel gained colorfulness enhanced darker tone decorative motif background silver gilding black shakudo patina also colorful enhancing effect fidelity nature depiction plant naturalism combined sublime decorativeness Maker Nogawa Role creator workshop Date ca 1890–1900 Meiji Period 1868–1912 Origin Kyoto Japan Type vessel vase Materials technique mixed metals Subject wisteria butterflies Dimensions height 15.7 cm width 5.3 cm tall cylindrical vase smooth glossy surface brownish yellow color stands plain gray background decorated raised dark metallic botanical motif cascading leaves stems hang group larger dark leaves near vase tapers slightly base sits reflective pale surface showing shades brownish yellow dark gray black gray surrounding area.