Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board

I need some advice and help with this cloisonne bowl. It is large, about 13" diameter and stands about 9.75" tall. Visit the link to see photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23676403@N07/4323514591/in/set-72157623207016019/

The bowl is bronze and has no marks on the exterior, however, on the interior of the base it has a beautiful shoreline landscape of a pair of cranes by a tree & rocks, with a turtle climbing up on the shoreline.

There is a four character mark on the left side of the scene.

I've never seen a cloisonne piece like this. Can anyone confirm if this is a Ming piece?

What does the mark say?

The enamel work seems rather dirty - how do I clean it?

Thanks!

Look like base of your jar (or jardiniere) is from Japanese mirror, so two quite different type pieces put together ('married'). Maybe was used for planter and original bottom damaged, so replaced.

Rest of jar quite attractive, without well-lit closeups of design in perfect focus can not tell if might possibly be old. From finish on metal, doubt it.

Is inside enameled, and what color?

Look closely at enamel with magnifying glass. What look like dirt might be black specks in the enamels. This is common in good 20th-century Japanese imitations Ming-style cloisonn�, and you cannot "clean" without damage to enamel.

Do not spray with chemical type cleaner, piece might have coating that would be damaged.

If you think piece is overall dirty, can gently wash with soft cloth dipped in room-temperature soapy water, carefully rinse same way with room-temperature clean water. Do not scrub hard and do not use hot water. Idea is to lay soapy-water cloth on surface, hardly move cloth, use cloth to put on soapy water not like wash face. Can gently rub with fingers.

Good luck,
Cal

Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board