As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this fine quality Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze and mixed metal vase by the highly skilled Imperial artist Suzuki Chokichi, his art name Kako. On this occasion Chokichi has manufactured a bronze trumpet shaped vase of waisted form decorated in exquisite detail with the use of mixed alloys, the main body of the vase is predominately decorated with a sprig of silver peonies contrasted with Chokichi’s trademark patinated mixed metal foliage, the vase is further decorated with upper and lower bands of butterflies in flight between formal gilt borders, the underside of this heavy quality highly decorative vase has been signed within an oval cartouche that translates to read “made by Kako of great Japan”, an increasingly scarce example of Meiji Period mixed metalwork from a leading Imperial artist.
Literature :
Suzuki Chokichi (Kako) was director , designer and lead artist of the government sponsored Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha company until its closure in 1891 , his adventurous artistic ideas were reputedly not always well received by the government funded factory, they probably had one eye on commercial quantity and more repetitive works than Kako would have liked.
It was following on from this closure that Chokichi went on to produce many other individual high quality and now famous works housed around the worlds great collections and leading museums , including a monumental 2.8m Koro surmounted by an Eagle which resides in the Victoria and Albert museum, and arguably his most famous known work being a set of twelve mixed metal birds of prey, now rightfully resting in the Tokyo national museum . It was during this period that this vase would have been manufactured by Kako, having now replaced the company double mountain seal with his own unique oval signature. Suzuki Chokichi’s work was eventually rewarded in 1896 when he was granted the rare accolade of becoming an Imperial artist ( Teishitsu Gigeiin ).
I am pleased to say his incredible artistic skills are being recognized some 130 years later by leading collectors of Japanese Meiji period metalwork.
Condition Report :
Wonderful condition throughout.
Approximate Sizes :
Height : 11 1/2″ 29 cm
Width : 6 1/4″ 16 cm
Free worldwide delivery and a certificate of authenticity are included within the price of this item.