Antique Japanese Cloisonné Vase Pair Meiji Period c1890 Butterfly Floral 12cm

A charming antique pair of miniature Japanese cloisonné enamel vases, dating to the Meiji period, circa 1880–1910.

These small matching cabinet vases are beautifully decorated with an intricate arrangement of flowers, foliage and butterflies/insects worked in coloured enamels against predominantly dark grounds.

The palette includes turquoise, deep red, green, white, yellow and aubergine tones, with distinctive red enamel borders around the neck and lower sections.

The workmanship has a wonderfully individual handmade character, with fine metal cloisons defining the numerous flowers, leaves and insects. The two vases are very closely matched in both size and weight.

The undersides are plain metal with an attractive naturally aged surface and no visible maker’s marks.

A particularly decorative little pair displaying beautifully together and an appealing example of late 19th / early 20th century Japanese cloisonné.

Approximate date: Meiji period, c.1880–1910
Origin: Japan
Material: Cloisonné enamel over metal
Quantity: Pair

Dimensions:
Height: 12 cm each
Maximum diameter: approximately 5.5 cm

Weight:
Vase 1: 92 g
Vase 2: 96 g
Combined weight: 188 g

Condition

Antique condition with considerable age-related character.

There is surface wear, scratching, pitting and areas of enamel loss/deterioration, together with oxidation and patination to the exposed metalwork, particularly around the rims and bases. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

The age-related wear has been left untouched and the vases have not been aggressively polished or restored.

Despite their wear, they remain a very attractive and increasingly difficult-to-find matched antique pair.