A PAIR OF JAPANESE KOMAI IRON VASES C.1880 The flattened bodies decorated in nunome zogan (gold...

A PAIR OF JAPANESE KOMAI IRON VASES

C.1880

The flattened bodies decorated in nunome zogan (gold and silver inlays) with panels of mountainous river landscapes under feather-shaped brocade designs, the rims with grape vine and bands of key fret and the sides with asa-no-ha and other geometrical patterns, both signed Kyoto no ju Komai sei (Made by Komai of Kyoto), 21.4cm. (2)

Provenance: From the collection of Hugh Gibson.

The landscapes depicted may be inspired by the Omi Hakkei, the traditional eight views of Omi Province

where Japan's largest lake is located, a few miles east of Kyoto. Cf. J Earle, Splendors of Meiji, Treasures of Imperial Japan, Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, pp.58-59 for other Komai vases with similar decoration.