Tree bark totai cloisonne small bulbous vase Japanese Meiji period 16 x 8 cms

  

Literally, porcelain-enamel, is enamel work that is decorated on a porcelain body or foundation that has been fired at a high temperature. Also commonly referred to as totai shippo, a more general term used to include ceramic, earthenware or porcelain bases.

Tree-bark cloisonné is relatively fragile due to the delicate surfacing technique which will sometimes chip or crack around the edges because of the porcelain base. The process of making cloisonné is rather complicated. It begins with the porcelain base formed into different shapes of vases, jars, and bowls, to which flat bronze wires are then affixed in decorative patterns. Enamels of different colors are applied to fill the cloisonné or hollows.

This antique Japanese vase is called tree-bark cloisonné, and emphasizes the treatment of the enameled body to simulate the rough, natural, tree surface. Totai Cloisonne vases were only made for a short period of time and discontinued because of the difficulty in producing specimens that were not flawed or damaged in manufacture. Specimens of this quality are getting very difficult to find in excellent condition.

This bulbous vase with elongated neck features butterflies and floral motif, and has a very finely crafted porcelain body surface in lacquered brown. The flowers and butterflies are exceptionally detailed and show wonderful variations of colour in shades of brown, green, orange and red enamels making the design natural and realistic.

Notice the beautiful deeply textured relief simulating wood bark. Most Jiki-shippo cloisonné ware were not signed or marked by the artist or studio. Dimensions:16 cms high, 8 cms wide at widest. At the mouth of the vase the glaze is partially absent.

It has the effect of a paler area around the lip of the vase. The period of manufacture was late 19th to early 20th century, so this piece is in the region of one hundred years old.

The item "Tree bark totai cloisonne small bulbous vase Japanese Meiji period 16 x 8 cms" is in sale since Friday, August 16, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian/Oriental Antiques\Japanese\Cloisonne". The seller is "manysplendouredthings" and is located in Twickenham. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Reunion, South africa.

• Product: Vase
• Region of Origin: Japanese
• Primary Material: Cloisonne