1920s Japanese Bronze Vase Made Into Lamp

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The magnificent Japanese bronze vase came into being in the late 19th century when the urbanization of Japan and the … Read more The magnificent Japanese bronze vase came into being in the late 19th century when the urbanization of Japan and the end of isolationism at the beginning of the Meiji era. The Meiji Emperor abolished the samuri class and the wearing of samurai swords. The sword makers and metalsmiths found it necessary to hone their craft creating something else. Their attention was directed towards making art object in bronze and other precious metals. This inspiration for this vase came from Chinese archaistic bronzes, but the decorative elements are Japanese. The bronze vase has a formidable octagonal form. The tall funnel neck has large rectangular "ear" handles in the form of mythical animals. Raised figure of sages are placed on each side of the neck. the broad shoulders have "leaf" designs similar to those found in Chinese archaic bronzes. Raised designs of birds on tree branches decorate the sides of the vase. It was made into a lamp sometime in the 1920's and 1930's. See less