The mirror-black enamel ground of this lidded vase is one of the specialities of Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927). His cloisonné enamels are characterised by skilful use of intricate wirework and superb attention to detail, as seen here.

The designs on his earlier pieces are relatively traditional, consisting mainly of stylised botanical and formal geometric motifs. This piece is decorated in silver wires with flowers, two flying ducks and a butterfly. The area above the base plate, below the rim and the lid are decorated with bands of the Seven Lucky Treasures (Japanese: ‘shippo’) motif. The rims and foot-rings are of gilded copper.

The interior of the foot carries a silver plaque with the well-executed signature of Namikawa Yasuyuki. However, the design and execution of the ducks are more reminiscent of the work of another cloisonné maker, Shibata, who worked in Kyoto around the same time as Yasuyuki.

The designs on much of Yasuyuki’s later work tend to be more pictorial, consisting mainly of scenes from nature and views of landmarks in and around Kyoto. His work included both pieces with designs predominantly defined by wires and pieces where the pictorial composition is balanced by large areas of pure coloured enamel.