Japanese Antique Silver Wire Cloisonne Enamel Vase with H- Phoenix & Dragon

  
Japanese Cloisonne Phoenix & Dragon Vase. An early 20th century Japanese enamelled and silver wire cloisonne vase.

The body has a green and aventurine flecked neck decorated with butterflies. The main body has a pink ground with stylised flowers and tendrils and small decorative roundels of fantastical creatures.

The two main panels feature the H- phoenix and a dragon. In mythology these could either be lovers or mortal enemies and are two of the celestial guardians. When depicted together as here they are often intended to symbolise marriage, which I guess can be very appropriate.

The H- is said to be rarely seen and appears at the beginning of a new era, again appropriate for marriage. These main decorative panels are enclosed by stylised forms of Komainu faces as if guarding each of the creatures. This vase is very detailed as you can see so was probably intended for export. It is unmarked and dates from the late Meiji or early Taisho.

A good example, minor wear as expected. Minor air bubbles in the enamel as normal for this style of cloisonne. Height: 24 cm (9 1/2 inch). Width: 11.8 cm (4 5/8 inch).

Weight: 528 grams (before packing). If for any reason you are unhappy with your item please let us know as soon as possible, and we will do our best to put things right. The item "Japanese Antique Silver Wire Cloisonne Enamel Vase with H- Phoenix & Dragon" is in sale since Friday, March 6, 2020. This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian/Oriental Antiques\Japanese\Cloisonne". The seller is "chrisbuckman" and is located in Lincoln.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Region of Origin: Japanese
• Product: Vase
• Age: 1900-1940
• Primary Material: Cloisonne
• Original/Repro: Antique Original