Japan. Meiji period. In the style of Namikawa S?suke. Enamel without bridges (musen shipp?) and some cloisonné (yusen shipp?) on copper. Underneath and lip lined with blackened silver. The twelve herons in white are reserved from the graded (bokashi) grey background. A special detail showing the high skills of the maker is the shadow-like reed between the birds, made without bridges. The mastering of the flow of the enamel and the final polishing by firing shows the high level of the workmanship. Only the eyes and beaks of the birds are defined with bridges of fine strips of silver. These technique was used for the stylized Kanzenami waves at the foot, too. Height 16,5cm. Underneath a graved mark: Probably Suzuki Seiichiro, active ca. 1860. Condition B. Hairline crack in the enamel at the shoulder.
Provenance: -According to the former owner this vase has been exhibited 1902 at the world exhibition in Paris. -Rhenish private collection. Acquired in the 1960s in Hamburg.