A fine Japanese cloisonné enamel vase signed Gonda Hirosuke, Meiji period

Of elegant baluster form rising to a slender flared neck, the vase is worked in exceptionally fine silver wire cloisonné on a rich, deep reddish-brown enamel ground of remarkable lustre and depth. One side is decorated with a beautifully rendered bird perched lightly upon a branch, the plumage composed in subtle tones of blue, green, white and charcoal, outlined with the thinnest silver wires that merge almost invisibly into the surface — a hallmark of Gonda’s refined workmanship.

The reverse is intentionally left undecorated, allowing the purity and glow of the enamel ground to speak without interruption, a sophisticated aesthetic often found in higher-level Meiji cloisonné where restraint is part of the design.

The neck and foot are mounted in darkened metal rims, framing the enamel body and providing both strength and visual balance. The underside bears the artist’s distinctive kaō (studio cipher) rather than a written signature, a known practice of Gonda Hirosuke and his workshop.

This vase exemplifies the quiet mastery of late Meiji cloisonné: minimal composition, perfect balance, and supreme control of colour and line.

Height: 15 cm

Condition: Very good overall condition with no losses to the enamel. Minor age wear to the metal mounts consistent with age.