SIGNED INOUE, CIRCA 1870-80

细节

A PAIR OF JAPANESE BRONZE BEAKER VASES
Signed Inoue, circa 1870-80
Each decorated with variously flowering branches in gilt, shakudo and copper takazogan, the interior rim with a continuous wreath of flowering camelia in gold hirazogan, the spreading foot with a band of gilt floral cell-pattern
15 in. (38 cm.) high (2)

注意事项

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

拍品专文

The signature in full reads Dainihon Saikyo Inoue tsukuru, which may be translated as 'made by Inoue of Saikyo (Kyoto) in great Japan'. One vase also bears the model number juichi (eleven) ten (corresponding to 'A' in the series ten-chi-jin, used for things in a series of three), and the number hyakukyuju (one hundred and ninety), followed by an illegible character.

The Inoue Company produced a range of metal wares; although little documentary evidence has come to light about its activities, the use of the term Saikyo (literally 'Western Capital') suggests that it operated during the early years of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). See Joe Earle, Splendours of Meiji: Treasures of Imperial Japan, Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, St. Petersburg, Florida: Broughton International Publications, 1999, p.59.