{"product_id":"an-exceptional-kinkozan-satsuma-double-gourd-vase-with-insects-on-a-tortoiseshell-ground-meiji-era","title":"An Exceptional Kinkozan Satsuma Double-Gourd Vase with Insects on a Tortoiseshell Ground.Meiji Era","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003estylised double-gourd form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the vase is covered in a lustrous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etortoiseshell-effect glaze in rich varying brown tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the restrained ground providing a dramatic contrast to the exceptionally detailed decoration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body is finely decorated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethree naturalistically observed insects — a hornet, a cicada and a bush-cricket — arranged individually around the vase\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, each rendered with remarkable precision in gilt and coloured enamels. Particular attention has been given to the insects’ anatomy, from the minute articulation of the legs and feet to the segmentation of the bodies, wing structure and delicate antennae.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecicada (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esemi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 蝉)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the most evocative insects in Japanese visual and literary culture, is traditionally associated with summer, transformation and the transience of life. Its emergence after a long period underground and the shedding of its outer shell gave rise to associations with renewal, while the empty cicada shell — \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eutsusemi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — became an enduring metaphor for impermanence and the fleeting nature of existence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebush-cricket\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, belonging to the Japanese tradition of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emushi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or singing insects, evokes the changing seasons and particularly the approach of autumn, when the sounds of crickets and related insects became celebrated subjects of poetry and art. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehornet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, rendered with equally close naturalistic observation, completes the striking entomological composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shoulders and constricted central section are enriched with elaborate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003egilt and polychrome ornamental borders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, composed of finely patterned pendant panels and textile-inspired motifs, demonstrating the technical refinement associated with the finest Kinkozan workshop production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than functioning merely as decorative motifs, the insects reflect the long Japanese tradition of the close observation of nature, in which even the smallest creatures could evoke \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eseason, sound, transformation and impermanence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of the unusual \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edouble-gourd silhouette\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dark tortoiseshell ground, restrained palette and extraordinarily detailed insect decoration makes this a particularly distinctive example of Kinkozan Satsuma ware of the Meiji period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe base impressed with the Kinkozan signature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Excellent overall condition, with the insect decoration and gilding exceptionally well preserved.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 12 cm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LA Japanese Art \u0026 Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58601052275019,"sku":null,"price":1600.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/4251\/3739\/files\/30F0B5C1-8F6C-49C2-97E0-3FAC597F0578.jpg?v=1790368123","url":"https:\/\/lajapaneseantiques.com\/products\/an-exceptional-kinkozan-satsuma-double-gourd-vase-with-insects-on-a-tortoiseshell-ground-meiji-era","provider":"LA Japanese Art \u0026 Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}