Pair of Large Cloisonné Enamel Palace Vases

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A pair of large Japanese cloisonné enamel palace vases

These tall vases are one of the early pieces by Kaji … Read more A pair of large Japanese cloisonné enamel palace vases

These tall vases are one of the early pieces by Kaji Tsunekichi (1803-1883) of Nagoya in Owari Province (modern Aichi Prefecture)

Japan, circa 1850

Artist: Kaji Tsunekichi

Measures: Height 36?, width 23?, depth 16"

Excellent condition

Tsunekichi is usually credited with the Renaissance of Japanese cloisonné manufacture

He, along with other early makers of cloisonné, had to overcome many technical problems, particularly in the application of the enamels. Early works, such as this piece, are characterized by the use of a larger number of background wires.

These wires were both decorative and practical. They formed an integral part of the design and also prevented the enamels from running during firing. The patterns created by the wires on many of these early pieces often took the form of stylized waves, clouds, key-fret patterns, and scrolling ‘karakusa’ (Chinese grass). Dragons were also a popular motif. In 1871 the Nagoya Cloisonné Company (Nagoya Shippo Kaisha) was established at Toshima, just outside Nagoya. See less