Not currently on display at the V&A

Vase

ca. 1900-10 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The copper body of the vase has an applied blackened silver rim, neck-ring and base plate. The shiny mirror-black ground has a brass yusen (the wires of varying thickness) decoration of a bird (possibly a Java sparrow) on a flowering plum branch. The foot is decorated with a band of stylised bamboo leaves. A silver cartouche bearing the engraved four-character mark Kyoto Namikawa has been applied to the base. Many variations of this shape of vase and decorative palette were produced by Yasuyuki. On page 99 of the Kyo Shippo Monyo-shu, there is a preparatory drawing of an almost identical vase. See Coben & Ferster Plate 92 for a vase with an autumnal scene of a bird on maple which could be a pair to this vase. See also Dragon King of the Sea no.19 and Barry Davies no.10 for vases with similar designs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cloisonné enamel with a shiny black ground and detailing in brass <i>yusen</i> (with wires) enamel.
Brief description
Cloisonné enamel vase decorated with a bird perched on flowering cherry, mark of Namikawa Yasuyuki, Kyoto, Japan, c.1900-10
Physical description
Vase with shiny mirror-black ground and brass wire decoration depicting a bird, possibly a Java sparrow, on a flowering plum branch. With the mark of Namikawa Yasuyuki.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15cm
  • Width: 5cm
Content description
bird, flowering plum
Marks and inscriptions
(With the mark of Namikawa Yasuyuki)
Credit line
Given by Edwin Davies
Summary
The copper body of the vase has an applied blackened silver rim, neck-ring and base plate. The shiny mirror-black ground has a brass yusen (the wires of varying thickness) decoration of a bird (possibly a Java sparrow) on a flowering plum branch. The foot is decorated with a band of stylised bamboo leaves. A silver cartouche bearing the engraved four-character mark Kyoto Namikawa has been applied to the base. Many variations of this shape of vase and decorative palette were produced by Yasuyuki. On page 99 of the Kyo Shippo Monyo-shu, there is a preparatory drawing of an almost identical vase. See Coben & Ferster Plate 92 for a vase with an autumnal scene of a bird on maple which could be a pair to this vase. See also Dragon King of the Sea no.19 and Barry Davies no.10 for vases with similar designs.
Bibliographic reference
Japanese Cloisonne Irvine, Gregory. Japanese Cloisonné. (London:V&A Publications, 2006), p. 136.
Other number
ED 317 - Edwin Davies collection number
Collection
Accession number
FE.79-2011

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 23, 2011
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest