Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Cherry Blossoms, Ota Tamashiro

A Japanese Meiji Period Silver-Wire Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Cherry Blossoms and Narcissus, Attributed to Ota Tamashiro

An elegant Japanese cloisonné enamel vase from the Meiji period, attributed to the esteemed Ota Tamashiro workshop, celebrated for its refined floral compositions and delicate silver-wire craftsmanship. The vase is of baluster form with a rich midnight-black enamel ground that provides a dramatic contrast to the luminous blossoms.

The principal face features a flowering cherry branch, its trunk rising diagonally across the body as sprays of white blossoms unfold with naturalistic grace. Each flower is finely outlined in silver wire and filled with translucent white enamel, their golden centers adding brilliance and vitality. Interspersed among the cherry blossoms are maple leaves in shades of green and russet, evoking the harmony of seasonal transitions. At the base, a cluster of narcissus blooms with slender green leaves provides a balanced counterpoint to the upward-reaching cherry.

The reverse of the vase presents a more restrained composition: a single spray of narcissus set against the flawless black ground. This contrast between the richly detailed front and the simplicity of the reverse reflects a hallmark of Japanese design — asymmetry and balance — offering both opulence and restraint within a single work.

The neck and foot are adorned with polychrome enamel borders of exceptional quality. Around the mouth, a bold geometric band of interlaced diamonds encloses stylized flowerheads, above a scrolling register of lotus-like motifs in vibrant colors. The foot is encircled by a row of lobed cartouches in red, green, and gold, framing the vase with rhythmic elegance. These ornamental patterns highlight the technical sophistication and decorative sensibility for which Ota Tamashiro’s workshop was known.

The successful execution of this piece — from the flawless midnight ground to the delicate blossoms and perfectly controlled silver-wire cloisons — reflects the artistry of Japan’s cloisonné golden age. Comparable works attributed to Ota Tamashiro are preserved in major collections, admired for their lyrical seasonal imagery and meticulous enamel craftsmanship.

Ota Tamashiro was among the distinguished Japanese enamelers whose works were exhibited at international expositions in the late nineteenth century, including Paris and Chicago. His studio gained acclaim for floral compositions that combined naturalistic elegance with extraordinary technical refinement. This vase, with its interplay of cherry blossoms and narcissus, exemplifies the qualities that brought Tamashiro’s work international recognition and enduring desirability among collectors.

A superb and highly collectible example, worthy of both connoisseurship and museum display.

8" high x 5" diameter

Very good condition. No damages noted.