Page 125 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Japanese Art

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A MAGNIFICENT SILVER AND ENAMEL DISH Although unsigned, the extraordinarily high-quality execution and
IN THE FORM OF A LARGE CHRYSANTHEMUM BLOOM brilliant colours of the enamel decoration depicting the combination of
Attributed to the Ozeki Company, Meiji era (1868-1912), the ho-o bird and leaves of the paulownia tree –two Imperial emblems
late 19th/early 20th century that enjoyed a widespread revival during the later Meiji era– have
Worked in translucent repoussé enamel with gold and silver wire, all the characteristics of a piece destined for Imperial presentation.
the centre with a large solitary ho-o (phoenix) in flight with its train The workmanship is comparable with the work of Hiratsuka Mohei,
of feathers trailing in all their splendour around its body, surrounded originally a tsuba-maker who must have turned to making other
by a silver-edged circular narrow band containing kiku-mon products after the samurai privilege of wearing two swords was
(chrysanthemum crests) interwoven among formalized foliage, each abolished by a government edict in 1876. Hiratsuka was renowned
lobe of the outer rim decorated with a variety of chrysanthemum for his enamel decoration and was also commissioned by the Ozeki
blossoms among paulownias joining to form a continuous design, company. See a koro by Hiratsuka illustrated by Oliver Impey and
supported on three bracket feet similarly decorated with a kiku-mon Malcolm Fairley, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art, Vol.
arrangement in coloured enamels, unsigned; with a wood storage box. II, Metalwork Part I, London, Kibo Foundation, 1995, cat. no.61; and a
4.5cm x 30cm (1¾in x 11¾in). (2). silver and enamel koro (incense burner) by the artist from the
Michael Tomkinson Collection, sold in these rooms, 6 November 2012,
£40,000 - 45,000 lot 511. It is also interesting to compare the enamelling with that on
JPY5,800,000 - 6,500,000 other Ozeki pieces illlustrated in ibid., cat. nos.49 and 57.
US$52,000 - 59,000

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE JAPANESE ART | 123