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This vase belonged to my friend's father who was an officer in the us Army stationed in both Japan and Taiwan in the 1940s. The vase is smooth with a copper tube that I assume was used to keep flowers and water in. It is approximately 10 inches high and 6 inches wide near the top. The design is some kind of dragon. There are no discernible markings that I can find. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

This is a Japanese style of cloisonné called 'ginbari', having a pattern that was embossed onto silver foil and enameled over with a green glaze, which then was vitrified into a form of clear glass in a kiln. I don't recall seeing an example with separate tube for water like this. I can't think of any reason to doubt that it might have been collected in Japan in the late 1940s'. A lot of ginbari was sold in American military exchanges in Japan during the Korean War era and subsequent years.

Best regards,

Bill H.

I had no idea what this vase was, and appreciate your response very much. At least now when someone asks about it I'll sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Thank you!

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