A FINE PAIR OF LACQUERED WOOD AND SHIBAYAMA VASES WITH RAKAN
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)A pair of vases of cylindrical shape and supported on three leafy bamboo feet made from shakudo. Decorated with a circumferential scene of a group of Rakan set on a gold kinji ground, the details in takamaki-e, kirikane, nashiji and with inlays of ivory and mother of pearl. The Rakan are surrounded by a blossoming tree and many sparrows. One shows the Rakan Bukan Zenshi next to his tiger companion viewing a Buddhist reliquary held by another Rakan. The other shows one Rakan pointing and the other reading from a scroll.HEIGHT 26.1 cmCondition: One loss to the edge of one sparrow’s wing. Generally, in good condition with minimal wear around the inlays and edges.Provenance: British collection.