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Hello,
I am curious as to the age and origin of this vase. It belongs to an elderly woman who knows it is at least 80 years old. My pictures are a bit dark but the actual color of the metal is close to what you see in the picture showing the bottom. No maker's marks I could see. It stands about 11 inches tall. Thanks in advance for your help.

Tom

If purchased 80 years ago it was new then.

Likely made China, possibly under Japanese occupation.

Regret to say not high quality. Partitions of enamel areas could be molded rather than laid-on wire. Large sections, muddy enamels colors, not well polished. Scrolls and lei-wen not well formed.

Friend should enjoy as memento.

Good luck,
Cal

Hi Tom,

This Japanese vase is champleve, not cloisonne. The latter uses strips of wire (cloison) to compartment its enamel colors. Champleve, French for 'field' (champ) that's 'raised' (leve), is manufactured or cast with built-in compartments.

The vase probably dates to about 1900 or somewhat later. Most of the patina you see is artificial. These items were exported in great numbers for decorative use, including as lamps. The bottoms, which are quite thin, are not an integrally made into the piece but have been cut or stamped out separately and in many cases apparently installed to be knocked out easily by the lampmaker.

Here are a couple in different patterns from about the same period.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks, I was told by someone else about champleve, and I suspected the patina was artificial, so your comments are confirmations.

Regards,

Tom

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