Late 19th Century Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases Geometric Pattern in the Manner of Gotō

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A refined pair of Japanese Meiji-period cloisonné enamel vases, worked in the manner of Gotō Seizaburō. Each cylindrical vase displays … Read more A refined pair of Japanese Meiji-period cloisonné enamel vases, worked in the manner of Gotō Seizaburō. Each cylindrical vase displays two shaped reserves set against a vivid turquoise-blue ground: one depicting a sparrow in flight above grasses, the other a butterfly hovering over yellow buttercups. Surrounding the panels is a richly detailed mosaic of floral and geometric cloisonné motifs in multicolored enamels on a russet ground, creating a striking contrast between naturalistic imagery and ornamental abstraction.


The design is completed with repeating floral quatrefoil borders at the rim and elongated petal motifs at the foot, both hallmarks of the decorative vocabulary associated with Gotō’s workshop. The precise wirework, densely patterned surfaces, and juxtaposition of nature with geometric ornament align closely with pieces by Gotō, whose innovative approach to patterning distinguished him among the foremost cloisonné artists of the Meiji era.


Pairs of this type are uncommon, and the present examples embody the technical sophistication and visual harmony that define the best cloisonné of the late 19th century.


Circa 1885 Japan Meiji


Size : a little over 6 inches tall x 2 inches wide


Condition: Both are in mint condition no chips or cracks to the enamel.


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