Meiji Vase in Cloisonné Enamel by Inaba Nanaho, Japan, 1890s

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Vase with polychrome decoration in iris cloisonné enamels. The challenge that the artist set for this miniature vase was to … Read more Vase with polychrome decoration in iris cloisonné enamels. The challenge that the artist set for this miniature vase was to create a decoration with as much detail as on a large vase. The partitions are absolutely fine and what can we say about the size of the cells filled with enamel, it's astonishing!
Signed on the bottom "Kinunken zo".
Japan, late 19th century.
Inaba Shichiho, better known by his stage name Inaba Nanaho, worked for the Kyoto Kinunken Company from its founding around 1871 to supplement his meager income as a lower-ranking samurai. He bought the company in 1889. A first-rate artist, he won numerous medals at exhibitions and was one of the few to work for the imperial family during the Meiji era. See less