Asian Art - Meiji Period Japanese Kyoto Bronze Champlevé Censer

Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Champlevé Censer from Kyoto
This Japanese bronze censer has a unique design. The overall form is triangular with tripod feet which gracefully hold the censer up off the surface on which it rests, giving this heavy piece a sense of weightlessness. The design on the body of the censer is created in the champlevé technique. This technique is similar to cloisonné in that colored emamel is filled in between chanels of metal forming the design. The difference is that with cloisonné, wire is soldered to the surface of the vessel according to the design and then filled in with enamel. With the champlevé technique, the bronze chanels of the design that holds the enamel is cast as an integral part of the vessel. The design on the body of this piece is six downward pointing maple leaves, three of which the leaf point curves out and extends to create the tripod feet. The blue color between the leaves gives the impression of leaves against the blue sky. The removeable lid is designed as a sixteen-petal lotus blossom with open slits between the petals for the incense smoke to escape in a soft misty cloud due to the fine slits arranged in such a manner. There is a chop mark on the bottom which I had translated. It identifies the piece as made in the city of Kyoto. Dimensions are about 10 cm. (about 4") high and about 40 cm. (15 3/4") in diameter at the triagular points. Condition is very good. One petal on the lid had some of the enamel missing and one really has to look hard to see it. On the tips of the feet, the enamel is a bit worn from use. On the main body, the enamel is completely intact with only a few minor spots where the surface is a bit uneven or slightly chipped.

Item #aa03
$945