Elegantly proportioned and formed as a globular bottle vase rising to a tall, slender neck, this Japanese cloisonné enamel vase is decorated with three phoenix birds (hō-ō) in flight. Their wings and flowing tails are rendered in finely worked silver wire with subtle shading in pale blue, white, and soft tonal enamels.
The composition is animated by elongated tail feathers that extend into flowing ornamental scrolls, creating a continuous decorative movement across the body of the vase. These scrolling forms emerge from the birds themselves, blending stylised plumage with ornamental design in a manner characteristic of Meiji-period cloisonné decoration.
The design is set against a deep red enamel ground, which provides a striking contrast to the pale tones of the phoenix and enhances the clarity of the silver wirework.
The neck is left largely undecorated, emphasizing the refined proportions of the form and directing attention to the central composition.
The mouth and base are mounted in gilt metal, completing the refined silhouette of the vase.
In East Asian symbolism the phoenix, known in Japanese as hō-ō, represents harmony, renewal, and imperial virtue, making it a favored motif in the decorative arts of the Meiji period.
Height: 19 cm
Condition: Good overall condition with minor age-related wear. No visible restoration.
