Japanese Bronze Ikebana Lotus Footed Bowl

Description

A Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) footed bowl in the shape of a leaf with lotus flowers raided on three legs. … more A Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) footed bowl in the shape of a leaf with lotus flowers raided on three legs. Ca. 1900.

The bowl is 12 cm high and 25 cm diagonal. The weight is 1685 grams.

The origin of ikebana lies in the ritual flower offerings to the spirits of the deceased in Buddhist temples. These offerings date back to the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan. Buddhism originally came from India and reached Japan through China. From the 10th century onward, in Japan, containers were used to place the flowers. With the flower arrangements offered, both the flowers and the branches were made to point towards the sky, as a sign of faith. The first to practice ikebana were priests. less