Pair Japanese Cloisonne Owls Hawks Maple on Turquoise Blue Enamel Vases Goto

Details

Description

A striking and beautifully executed pair of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne vases, attributed to the workshop of Goto Seizaburo of … Read more A striking and beautifully executed pair of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne vases, attributed to the workshop of Goto Seizaburo of Yokohama, one of the most innovative enamel artists active during the late nineteenth century. These vases embody the refined naturalism and precise wirework associated with Yokohama production, where Goto developed a distinct visual language defined by expressive bird studies and luminous turquoise enamel.


One vase features a contemplative owl perched on a branch, rendered with exceptional sensitivity to feather patterning and facial expression. The companion vase captures a hawk in mid flight, wings fully extended in a dramatic descent. Together the pair creates a dynamic interplay of stillness and movement, a contrast often found in Goto’s known works.


The surrounding landscapes present maple branches, seasonal foliage, and smaller birds in flight, all outlined with finely applied gilt wire. The compositions wrap around each vase in continuous panoramic scenes that use the bright turquoise ground as sky and atmosphere, a hallmark of high quality Yokohama enamel.


Both vases are finished with richly detailed geometric and floral cartouche borders at the shoulders and bases. These decorative patterns show clear visual affinity with a cloisonne plate housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which features closely related geometric border motifs associated with Yokohama production. The museum example provides an important point of reference for understanding the lineage and stylistic vocabulary seen here.


The enamels remain vibrant with only minor age related surface wear consistent with nineteenth century cloisonne. The wirework is crisp and confident, and the pair maintains excellent visual harmony.


This is a refined and visually compelling pair suitable for collectors of Japanese cloisonne and for connoisseurs who recognize the distinctive aesthetic of Goto Seizaburo, whose Yokohama workshop contributed significantly to the development of Meiji enamel artistry. The combination of owl and hawk imagery, rendered with such technical finesse, makes this pair particularly rare and desirable.






Dimensions

H 7 1/2 in. W 4 in. All measurements are approximate.

ConditionOverall good vintage condition. Signs of age and wear. Stains. Refer to photos See less