A PAIR OF JAPANESE BRONZE VASES AND COVERS BY KIMOURA TOUN

A PAIR OF JAPANESE BRONZE VASES AND COVERS BY KIMOURA TOUN

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

Of bulbous form and each raised on a flaring foot, both vases cast with a dragon in high relief emerging from scrolling clouds and fire wisps, the rims and feet cast with bands of key fret and stylised reishi mushrooms, the covers with spiraling waves extending to become the knops, the insides gilded, both signed in a rectangular cartouche Kimoura Toun, raised on associated wood stands, 35cm overall. (6)

Provenance: from the collection of Professor Anne Birrell (1950-2020). Professor Birrell taught Chinese and Chinese literature at Cambridge University and the City University of New York. Her publications include Popular Songs and Ballads of Han China, New Songs from a Jade Terrace, and Chinese Mythology: An Introduction.