+LARGE CLOISONNÉ BOWL, Japan, Edo era, ca. 1850
Japan, Nagoya?, Edo era, circa 1850/span>
Diameter approx. 42 cm, height approx. 12 cm./span>
Condition visible in the photos, good, minimal damage.n>
Japan, Nagoya?, Edo era, circa 1850/span>
Diameter approx. 42 cm, height approx. 12 cm./span>
Condition visible in the photos, good, minimal damage.n>
A large bowl made in the cloisonné technique, i.e. cellular enamel on a brass vessel, on both sides. The central position inside is occupied by the Chinese fox with nine tails - jiǔwěihú, known in mythology since the Warring States Period (480-221 BC). This mysterious Chinese fox was said to inhabit the Qing Qiu Mountains, and its greatest power was the ability to transform into other beings, according to legends it most often took the form of a beautiful woman. The rest of the vessel is filled with fanciful decorations in the form of stylized clouds, flowers and ornamental friezes.
#888888;">The first products made using the cloisonné technique (Japanese: Shippo-yaki) were created in Japan as early as the Nara period (710-784 AD), and in the 17th century it was used to decorate door locks or samurai sword fittings. However, the cloisonné technique experienced its renaissance in Japan only in the 19th century thanks to Kaji Tsunekichi (1803-83), originally a samurai and later a craftsman-artist. Around 1838, Tsunekichi purchased a Chinese vessel made using the cloisonné technique and carefully studied its construction. Then he recreated the technique, initially making a small 15 cm vessel. Gradually, he gained more and more skill and was able to produce much larger objects. His products were even presented at the Tokugawa court in Yedo. He had many students, from among whom emerged the next generations of cloisonné artists such as Hayashi Shogorō, Tsukamoto Kaisuke and Hayashi Kodenji,