Lot description

Details

An impressive collaborative pair of bronze and mixed-metal vases representing spring and autumn
Meiji period (dated 1885), Spring signed on silver plaque Bokusui Hyakka ju Kazuhide koku (carved by Kazuhide [Sato Kazuhide; 1855-1925] of the Hyakka [Garden quarter] in Sumida Ward, Tokyo) and with gilt seal Kazuhide, Autumn cyclically dated and signed on silver plaque kinototori chushu (mid-autumn 1885) Negishi sonko Bairyu Shinshinso sen Katsuhiro (carved by Katsuhiro [Kagawa Katsuhiro; 1853-1917] of the Bairyu Shinshinso [studio] and resident of Negishi district) and with silver and gilt seal Fuyo ichigi
Each vase of tapering ovoid form with high shoulder, upright neck and short foot, cast, carved and inlaid in various golds, silver, shakudo, copper and gilt, the vase representing Spring with a pair of pheasants perched on the gnarled trunk of a cherry tree by roses and two small birds; the vase representing Autumn with a pair of young pheasants perched on the gnarled trunk of a maple tree by chrysanthemums and two sparrows in flight following an insect, the feathers and flowers finely detailed, the trunks of both trees carved and chiseled to resemble the rough texture of bark, each neck cast with two phoenixes and paulownia arabesques that are repeated on each foot
23½in. (59.7cm.) high each
With removable metal liners with gilt rims (2)

Quoted from the lot page, © Christie's. Christie's, Japanese & Korean Art, 2012-09-11, lot 116 ↗