A Magnificent Bronze and Iron Vase

SIGNED ON AN INSET TABLET UCHIMONO [HAMMER WORKER] KUROKAWA EISHO, CHOKO [SCULPTOR] KAMIJO KAZUTOSHI, ZOGAN [INLAY] KASHIMA IPPU AND SEALED SAWADA SEI, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Magnificent Bronze and Iron Vase
Signed on an inset tablet Uchimono [hammer worker] Kurokawa Eisho, choko [sculptor] Kamijo Kazutoshi, zogan [inlay] Kashima Ippu and sealed Sawada sei, Meiji Period (late 19th century)
On four mask feet carved and engraved in gold, silver, shakudo and gilt with an eagle amongst pine on rocks beside a waterfall, the feathers finely detailed, the reverse with two red-capped cranes under cherry blossoms beside a stream, with two applied handles inlaid in gold with scrolling vines, the base with scrolling vines and mythical creatures in gilt inlay, the cover with a band of archaic motif of mythical creatures, with a finely detailed finial of a kirin, a ball in its mouth
51cm. high

Lot Essay

Of the three artists recorded here, Kurokawa Eisho is known to have worked in Tokyo for the Imperial Household and Kashima Hidehiro II, Chujiro or Ippu(sai) (1828-1900) was a pupil of Kashima Mitsuyuki. A master of nunomezogan in particular, a landscape plaque by him is in the collection of Tokyo National Museum.

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