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Greetings,

My name is Jan and I was just surfing the web when I found your site. I was amazed at the information so generously provided and have high hopes perhaps somebody can tell me a little bit about the following piece.

My grandma and grandpa (smile) were married for over 50 years before he passed away. My grandma is still alive, but suffers from advanced Alzheimer �s disease and isn�t coherent enough to tell any more stories. My mom knew I had always liked this vase, and so gave it to me when she and her sister went through grandma�s things.

I was beyond thrilled!

I am not sure what to say about the piece except that it is bronze (I think) all the way through. Each scale is actually a wire. The vase is about 8 � inches high and about 2 � inches in girth.

I tried to get several different angles of the work, but it is so fine that when I magnified the camera the pictures lost a lot of resolution�..but I think you can get the point.

As I said, I really don�t know a lot about it, but I do know that in order to do such intricate wire-work by hand, well, it had to be the work of a master. Either that or it is mass-produced�..well, OK, to my untrained eye I would think it is a master, the detail is just insane!

Thank you for your time and expertise!

Sincerely,
Jan Ramsey

PS I read a post in your forum about how colors of the enamel (being pastel) can indicate age. Don�t know if that helps or not, but I was thrilled to see it is pastel colors ;o)

Hello again,

I have continued to look into this vase and now know it isn't signed, it is Japanese instead of Chinese because it is a three-toed dragon, and the wire work is very good. I have found a few other pieces with comparable wire work, but not a dragon, and they were almost all signed.

Any further information would be appreciated, or perhaps a link to a conversation in the forum archives.

I have included 2 new pictures, hopefully of a better quality then the last!

Many thanks,
Jan
Fife, WA

Jan,

Jan you are correct, this cloisonne vase is Japanese, but not primarily for the reason stated, because there were three toed dragons in the Yuan dynasty that can be found on your longquan celedons of the 14th century China.

This type of cloisonne has the combination of wire cell and bodiless cloisonne..., in other words, a partial network of wired cells that form the dragon, and were later filled with the paste-glass, and the mono-colored black glass that provides the backdrop.

Your specimen would date to the late Meiji and early Tashio periods 1910- pre-1920.

Regards, Edward Shumaker

Hello Edward and Cal,

Thank you for taking a look at this! I agree more with Edwards take then Cal's for the following reasons; First, I have been loving this vase for the 40 years I've known my grandmother; Second, if it were less than 20 years old it is unlikely there would be pitting in the enamel.

I am wondering, does handling the vase lead to pitting? Should it be cleaned a special way? Can I polish the bronze, or should I leave it as is?

Except for dusting, I doubt if my grandmother ever cleaned it.

Many thanks!

I hope you both have excellent days!
Jan

Jan,

Never polish the bronze, a slight dusting and occasional damp cloth would do. As far as pitting is concerned, this occurs when a layer of hard wax has been removed by reason of polishing.

Many do not realize that the finishing touch in the manufacturing procedure was to fill in the Pitts with hard colored wax. The appearance of Pitts or the lack thereof does not necessarily indicate age, but the level of 'patina' of the bronze is a useful guide.

Shape of the vase and artistry are other factors to consider when making a determination for age.

This is very much a highly sought after type of cloisonne, and has great appeal due its subject matter.

I trust that you will keep it in the family, they just don't make these anymore.

Regards, Edward Shumaker

Jan,

Do not polish, anything cleans bronze would scratch enamels.

Sometimes pitted enamels have been filled with wax after maker's final polish. If present, could see with magnifying glass in strong light.

If see no such treatment or repairs, could wash in soft plastic tub with thick towel in bottom and sides, water exactly air temperature, very mild soap not detergent. Rub only very lightly with fingers if there is grime. Not soak more than 2-3 minutes in case enamels not adhering well within wires, don't want moisture under enamel. Rinse water same temperature. Dry by blotting not rubbing, let to complete air drying. Use no solvents, sprays, vinegar, etc. Enamels very sensitive to fast temperature change. Metal and enamel expand different rates in fast change temperature, so water continuity temperature very important to not damage.

Enjoy and good luck,
Cal

Jan,

You can use site search engine, spell it 'cloissonne'.

You are right to conclude Japanese, but from style especially more than number of toes.

Very difficult to date such wares of which so much made, but expect less than 60 years old and probably less than 20.

Good luck,
Cal

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