Container and Lid thumbnail 1
Container and Lid thumbnail 2
+2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Container and Lid

ca. 1880-ca. 1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This small and elegant tea-jar (Japanese: natsume) has all the characteristics of the best work of Namikawa Yasuyuki (1847-1910). The mirror-black cloisonné enamel ground is covered with gold and silver wire decoration of scrolling karakusa (Chinese grass). These are combined with summer flowers in shades of polychrome cloisonné enamels with small roundels to accentuate the flowers.

The jar is quite heavy for its size, and the interior and base are all gilded in a deep golden colour. The base carries an applied silver plaque with the incised inscription 'Kyoto Namikawa'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Lid
  • Container
Materials and techniques
Copper, gold, silver, cloisonné enamels
Brief description
Copper container and lid, covered with cloisonné enamels and mounted in silver and gilt; decorated with small coloured flowers; Namikawa, Kyoto, ca. 1890-1900.
Physical description
Copper bodied box and lid with gold and silver wires and cloisonné enamels.
Dimensions
  • Including lid height: 6.4cm
  • Diameter: 5.4cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Kyoto Namikawa
Translation
Namikawa of Kyoto
Credit line
Margary Gift
Object history
Margary Gift
Summary
This small and elegant tea-jar (Japanese: natsume) has all the characteristics of the best work of Namikawa Yasuyuki (1847-1910). The mirror-black cloisonné enamel ground is covered with gold and silver wire decoration of scrolling karakusa (Chinese grass). These are combined with summer flowers in shades of polychrome cloisonné enamels with small roundels to accentuate the flowers.

The jar is quite heavy for its size, and the interior and base are all gilded in a deep golden colour. The base carries an applied silver plaque with the incised inscription 'Kyoto Namikawa'.
Collection
Accession number
M.75:1, 2-1969

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Record createdMay 8, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest