As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this magnificent pair of large scale Meiji Period (1868-1912) mixed metal vases crafted at the studios of the Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha , (the governments first trading and manufacturing company) on this occasion by one of the lead artists Sugiura Yukimune (1856-1901), at this time working under the directorship of the soon to become Imperial Artist, Suzuki Chokichi . This handsome pair of vases are based on a design by the Rimpa school painter Sakai Doitsu (1846-1913) a retained artist working for the company at this time, indeed the signature “Doitsu zu, Yukimune sen kore”, with the gold seal “Sugiura” bears testament to Doitsu’s involvement in this fine collaboration. The large heavy quality baluster shaped vases stand upon a spreading bracket foot decorated with mixed metal moths beneath a band of stylized flora, the bronze bodies provide a super contrast to the opulent mixed metal decoration depicting birds at rest upon the branches of fruit trees. The incredibly worked feather detail and foliage in relief all formed from soft alloys including gold, silver , copper and shibuichi to an extremly high level of workmanship. To the reverse we witness exquisite sprays of gold narcisus to one vase with further sprigs of native flora to the other, the shoulders and neck rims decorated in mixed alloys with stylized moths amidst trailing flora. Each vase bears the artists signatures and gold seal to one side.
Literature :
Sugiura Yukimune (1856-1901) worked for the First Trading and Manufacturing Company founded in 1873 by the Meiji government under the stewardship of lead artist and designer Suzuki Chokichi. Yukimune worked alongside his older brother Sugiura Yukinari, dates unknown, though they both exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1900 . Yukimune eventually became a lecturer in metalwork at the Tokyo School of Art until his untimely death in 1901 aged 43.
His works can now be found in leading collections and museums around the world.
See : Khalili Collections – Metalwork Vol I for works by both brothers in colaboration with Suzuki Chokichi and the Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha .
One example of our particular artists work can be found at Plate 3 . This magnificent 48 cm lobed vase displays an owl landing upon a pine tree, it is dated circa 1885.
The design for these vases was likely based on a painting or drawing by the Rimpa School artist Sakai Doitsu (1846-1913) 酒井道 , Doitsu is recorded as an artist and designer at the Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha, he was the son of Yamamoto Sodo, a pupil of Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) who was responsible for reviving the Korin style in Edo in the early 19th century. Doitsu studied painting with another of Hoitsu’s pupils, Nozaki Shin’ichi (1821-99) and ultimately succeeded as fourth-generation head of the Uge-an lineage (named after Hoitsu’s studio), faithfully perpetuating the Rimpa (or Rinpa) style in the Meiji era (1868-1912).These vases bear his name alongside that of the metalworker Sugiara. “Doitsu zu, Yukimune sen kore”, with the gold seal “Sugiura”
Condition Report :
Very fine condition with minimal age related wear.
Approximate Sizes :
Height : 21″ 53.5 cm
Width : 10 1/4″ 26 cm
Depth : 9″ 23 cm
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