Lot 389
NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI (1845-1927)
FINE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL VASE AND COVER, MEIJI PERIOD
Fine Asian & Islamic Works of Art
Auction: 3 November 2023 from 09:00 GMT
Description
明治 「京都並河」款 並河靖之（1845-1927）作坊製 銅胎掐絲琺瑯菊紋蓋瓶
intricately worked in colourful enamel and silver and gold wire with scattered chrysanthemums against a simulated pale yellow drip glaze over a jet-black ground, the cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a gilt chrysanthemum bud finial, the base signed with chiselled characters Kyoto Namikawa on a silver tablet, with bespoke wooden stand
Dimensions
11.7cm high; 126g
Provenance
Provenance: Private Scottish collection, acquired in the UK art market in the early 1980s.
Footnote
Note: Born in 1845 to a rural samurai family, Namikawa Yasuyuki started his cloisonné business in Kyoto in 1873 and by the 1880s was successful enough to build, and then extend and upgrade, a large compound that eventually included workshops housing more than 20 employees. Having won countless medals at national and international exhibitions, his works were sought after by the national and international collectors during his lifetime and became even more highly collectable thereafter.
A comparable cloisonné enamel vase and cover, by the workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki, with a similar design of simulated drips, albeit in celadon colour, and chrysanthemums, was sold at Bonham's New York, 19 March 2013, lot 2406. Also compare to a jar and cover by the same workshop, note the similarity of the wooden base, which might have been original, sold at Christie's New York, 18 Mar 2014, lot 555.