Taisho '1912-1926' Bronze Wave Usubata

This early 20th century iron vessel is a Meiji-era vase designed especially for ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. The two-piece vase was cast in the classical usubata (thin rim) form, with a broad, flat top with an upturned lip. Usubata vessels are typically cast of bronze and have been used in ikebana arrangements since the 16th century. The broad rim of this usubata vase...

A fine antique Japanese flower vase. In hand-hammered copper (or possibly a thin-bodied bronze) with applied silver bands to rim, footrim, shaped edge, and with a lotus petal border at the joint of neck and body. Having the usubata form with a wide flared neck and mouth. The 'usubata' vase is a form favored for large scale floral arrangements by the Ikenobo school, the oldest and largest school of Japanese ikebana founded in the 15th century by Buddhist monk Senno Ikenobo. It is believed that the wide and shallow rim of an usubata vase which displays the surface of the water best imitates natural conditions of growth while also contributing to the longevity of an arrangement with the increased surface area of the water better oxygenating the plants. The base retains still retains hand-hammered marks. There is evidence of seams and folds throughout from the construction, and the surface has a cloud-like brown patina throughout. Simply a wonderful Japanese mixed metal vase...

Baluster type vase. Porcelain. Taisho period, Japan, 1912-1926. With marks on the base. Baluster vase (due to its shape) in Hirado porcelain enameled in brown with iron oxide varni...

A fine antique Japanese bronze vase. From the Meiji Period. With copper and silver floral and vine and butterfly inlay as well a kanji symbol to the neck (possibly a stylized f...