Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Dragon Miniature Vase Fine Silver Wire c1900

A particularly fine antique Japanese miniature cloisonné enamel vase dating to the Meiji period, circa 1890–1912.

This is a wonderfully accomplished little piece. Despite standing only 6.5 cm tall, the vase carries an extraordinarily detailed coiling dragon worked across a deep black enamel ground.

The dragon is constructed using exceptionally fine silver-coloured cloisonné wire, with numerous individual wires creating the scales, body, facial features and sweeping movement of the creature. Red enamel provides restrained highlights to the predominantly black, grey and silver palette.

The quality of the wirework is the feature that particularly distinguishes this vase from more commonly encountered Japanese export cloisonné.

The vase has a compact globular or compressed spherical form with a metal-mounted neck and foot. Its diminutive proportions suggest that it was produced as a miniature cabinet piece intended to demonstrate the enameller’s skill rather than simply as a decorative vase.

Attribution & Dating

The construction, form, black enamel ground, dragon subject and extremely fine wirework are consistent with high-quality Japanese cloisonné produced during the later Meiji period.

I believe a date of approximately 1890–1912 is appropriate.

The vase is unsigned and I have deliberately not attributed it to a particular artist or workshop. Fine Japanese cloisonné of this period was produced by a number of highly accomplished workshops, and without a signature or documentary provenance it would be inappropriate to assign a specific maker.

It should therefore be considered an unattributed but notably fine example of late Meiji Japanese cloisonné work.

Dimensions

Height: approximately 6.5 cm
Maximum diameter: approximately 6 cm
Weight: approximately 64 g

Condition

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

The vase presents beautifully for its age. As with any antique enamel object of this period, minor age-related surface wear or imperfections may be present.

No restoration has been identified from my examination.

A Note on the Piece

The appeal of this vase lies not in its size but in the amount of workmanship compressed into such a tiny object.

Viewed closely, the dragon becomes almost a miniature drawing made from wire and enamel. The extraordinarily fine lines forming its twisting body contrast dramatically against the glossy black ground.

A beautiful miniature example of Japanese Meiji-period enamel work and a particularly appealing piece for a collector of Japanese cloisonné, Meiji art or dragon imagery.