Japanese Koro vase (incense burner) made of silver with colored enamel and gold lacquer, adorned with Shibayama decoration.

Japanese Silver-Enamel & Shibayama Decorated Gold Lacquer Koro.
Master: Naomasa
Period: 1868 - 1912, Japan, Meiji era, 19th century.
Materials: silver, ivory, lacquer, coral, tortoiseshell
Dimensions: height 18 cm

Before you is a decorative silver vase with a lid. On the lid is a figure of an eagle sitting on a rock. On both sides of the item, there are two panels of gold lacquer inlaid with ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and coral, in the style of katyo (birds). Stylized enameled handles are placed on the shoulders. The silver surface of the vase is richly decorated with floral ornaments in polychrome glass-like enamels. The work is executed in the shibayama style. The piece is distinguished by the skillful execution and the nobility of the combination of decorative elements against the backdrop of silver sheen and the golden tone of the inlays. The level of artistic execution allows for the statement of the museum-quality significance of this item.
Shibayama is a very complex and remarkably beautiful technique of decorating interior items, which involves inlaying materials such as ivory, mother-of-pearl, coral, tortoiseshell, etc. into objects made of wood, metal, and ceramics.

Description:
As part of our Japanese art collection, we are delighted to offer this fine quality silver and enamel koro (incense burner) inset with shibayama decorated gold lacquer panels. The main segmented body of the koro is formed from silver, profusely enameled in bright floral decorations, swags, and garlands. The front and rear cartouches house a pair of shibayama style gold lacquer panels decorated in typical fashion with birds among prunus blossoms. The side handles are adorned with a pair of cast silver three-clawed dragons, and the lid is topped with a ho-ho bird, wings outstretched, silver-lined, and signed on the shibayama panels by the artist and under the silver body for the enamelist/silversmith. This is a collaboration of traditional Meiji skills worked into this magnificent finished article!

As you might imagine, these delicate works rarely survive fully intact, so I am pleased to report that the condition of this koro is simply stunning, with no damage or losses to either the enamel or shibayama. There is a signature on the base. The shibayama decoration contains no ivory and therefore can be shipped to most places worldwide with no licensing issues.

Approximate sizes:
Max height: 18 cm