Object Description
From our collection of 19th Century Oriental Art, this interesting pair of Japanese vases of the classical Chinese Gu form. Likely inspired by the shape of an Ancient Bronze ritual wine vessel called “Gu” of the Shang Period, (C. 1700-1027 BCE.)
The vases are decorated with a bold three-section design with highlights of all three picked out in Silver, Gold, Shibuichi and Copper.
The top section features inlaid clouds and thunder, characterful maned-Dragons. Japanese Dragons tend not to have manes, so the artist most likely sought inspiration the traditionally maned-Dragons of Chinese legend. The middle section with flowering Clematis and the bottom section with a stylised foliate Phoenix among star-shaped flowers.