Silver Mounted Shibayama Lidded Vase

c. 1880

A silver mounted Shibayama lidded vase (Japanese, c. 1880, Meiji Period) raised on an integral base with four short legs, signed Masanori on the base. The lid is topped with a silver Kannon (Bodhisattva) sitting among rocks. The neck of the vase is decorated with four narrow panels with mother-of-pearl flowers. The lacquer body is decorated with a gold gyobu ground and is scattered with gold makie cherry blossoms and petals. On either side of the vase are two large shaped gold ground panels with mother-of-pearl, ivory, and horn scenes. One side depicts a landscape scene with wisteria hanging from trellises, blooming cherry trees, peonies, birds in flight, and a body of water in the foreground with swimming carp and lotus blossoms. The other depicts a rice planting scene, and includes a figure on a water wheel, workers in the fields, a flowering tree, and water fowl. The vase is fitted with two silver dragon handles. Silver lappet bands incised with flower heads surround the shoulders and base.

Japanese

lacquer ware

mother-of-pearl

silver

11 1/2" x 8" x 5"

Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Edward J. Berwind, 2008.

PSNC.11814ab