Magnificent Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Pheasants, Inaba Co.

Magnificent Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Pheasants, Inaba Co.

An exceptional Japanese cloisonné enamel vase from the Meiji period, attributed to the renowned Inaba workshop, celebrated for its mastery of naturalistic design and refined use of pure silver wire cloisons. This tall, elegant vase is set against a rich midnight-black enamel ground, providing a dramatic backdrop for one of the most exquisite naturalistic scenes of the period.

The composition depicts a pair of pheasants perched upon the gnarled branches of a maple tree. Each bird is executed with extraordinary precision, their feathers outlined in the thinnest silver wire and filled with an iridescent range of enamels — emerald, sapphire, russet, and gold — that give lifelike texture and luminosity. The Inaba studio’s ability to render subtle shifts of tone through meticulous wirework and carefully chosen enamel hues is fully evident here, capturing the vitality and grace of these elegant birds.

Encircling the central motif, maple leaves unfurl in various shades of green, orange, and crimson, evoking the seasonal rhythms of the Japanese landscape. At the base of the design, delicate wildflowers and grasses emerge from stylized rocky ground, their details worked with the same painstaking care. The overall balance of the scene reflects the Japanese principle of harmony between nature and form, a hallmark of the best Meiji cloisonné enameling.

The neck and foot are encircled by intricate geometric borders in silver wire, framing the naturalistic tableau and underscoring the sophistication of the vase’s design. The combination of silver wire and rich enamels is characteristic of the Inaba workshop, whose artisans achieved international acclaim for elevating cloisonné enameling to a painterly art form during the late nineteenth century.

This vase is not merely decorative but an embodiment of the technical ingenuity and refined aesthetic sensibilities of Meiji Japan. Works attributed to Inaba are prized by collectors worldwide, and examples of this caliber rarely appear on the market. With its elegant form, flawless ground, and meticulous execution, this piece stands as a testament to the enduring artistry of the Meiji golden age.

Comparable examples by the Inaba workshop are represented in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and in major private collections worldwide, underscoring the importance and desirability of this masterful work.

A true collector’s treasure and a museum-worthy example of Japanese cloisonné enameling.

12.5" high x 6" diameter

Very good condition overall. Small ding (crack) to the back of the vase (see photo), otherwise, perfect.