London – A magnificent and exceptionally fine inlaid iron jar and cover decorated with birds and flowers of the four seasons and commissioned by Kawaguchi Yohei of Tokyo, one of the leading craft entrepreneurs of the Meiji era (1868-1912), leads the Fine Japanese Art Sale including Meiji Masterpieces from a Distinguished Deceased Estate on 16 May at Bonhams New Bond Street. The work is being offered with an estimate of £50,000-80,000.

Suzannah Yip, Bonhams Department Director, Japanese Art commented, "Until the middle of the 19th century, most Japanese decoration in metal was on a miniature scale, confined to the fittings of samurai swords and other small-scale items. As Japan modernised, the country's metalwork specialists quickly developed new and innovative styles, adapting their skills to much larger works of art for foreign exhibition and consumption. While this outstanding inlaid jar and cover was commissioned by a leading figure in the craft world, little is known about Yano Katsumine, the master metalworker responsible for creating such a masterpiece of dazzling craftsmanship and beauty. It is testament to the extraordinary strength and depth of Japan's art industries during this period. We are delighted to be offering such a special piece in this sale."

Life-size models of geese that once belonged to Charlie Chaplin

The sale spans six centuries from the medieval period to the present day and demonstrates the mastery of a wide range of materials from lacquer, bamboo, wood, ceramic, and metal. A highlight includes a pair of life-size bronze models of geese that once belonged to Charlie Chaplin when he was resident at Manoir de Ban, a 19-room neoclassical mansion where he worked on his late films, music scores and autobiography, until his death in 1977. The geese, dating to the Edo period (1615-1868) have an estimate of £4,000-6,000. Also offered in the sale are two rare Nabeshima porcelain dishes used by the military elite and powerful daimyo – vassals of the shogun in feudal Japan. The dishes, also from the Edo period (1615-1868) and both circa 1690-1760, are offered with estimates of £12,000-15,000 and £15,000-20,000 respectively.

A golden era of Japanese Cloisonné

The Meiji period (1868-1912) was seen as a golden era for Japanese Cloisonné work and the sale includes pieces by many of the great masters including Namikawa Yasuyuki of Kyoto celebrated for his intricate wirework, the unrelated Namikawa Sosuke of Tokyo, Ando Jubei and Hattori Tadasaburo of Nagoya. The star lot is perhaps the exceptionally fine cloisonné-enamel vase by Ando Jubei in moriage relief first shown at the fifth Domestic Industrial Exposition, held in Japan in 1903. The vase, with an estimate of £30,000-50,000, speaks to Japan's skill in appealing to early 20th century Western taste in East Asian Art.

Highlights include:

• Ando Jubei Company, an exceptionally fine moriage cloisonné-enamel vase, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century. The vase, in vibrantly coloured enamels, depicts a persimmon tree laden with orange-hued ripe fruit. Estimate: £30,000-50,000.

• Ando Jubei Company, a rare and unusual openwork cloisonné-enamel baluster vase, Meiji era (1868-1912) or Taisho era (1912-1926), early 20th century. Estimate: £25,000-30,000.

• Namikawa Sosuke (1847-1910) of Tokyo after a design by Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918). A cloisonné-enamel plum-blossom-shaped tray, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century. Estimate: £20,000-30,000.

• Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) of Kyoto, two cloisonné-enamel slender baluster vases, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century. Sold separately with individual estimates of £15,000 – 20,000.

A remarkable collection of Jizai Okimono: real and imaginary fully articulated models of creatures

A collection of Jizai (articulated models) featuring lobsters, river crabs, hornets and a magnificent dragon from the Meiji era to the present day will also be offered in the sale. Originally made by armourers as a sideline during the Edo period, these models were first appreciated by senior samurai. After Japan's opening to the West from the 1850s, they became popular with foreign buyers.

Highlights from the collection include:

• A large silver jizai okimono of a spiny lobster, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century. Estimate: £8,000-12,000.

• Kanaya gorosaburo lineage, an Iron Jizai Okimono of a Crab. Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid-/late 19th century. Estimate: £4,000-6,000.

• A wood jizai okimono of a dragon, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century. Estimate: £5,000-6,000.

• Mitsuta Haruo (b. 1980), a Copper, brass and gold plated Jizai Okimono of a Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica), Heisei era (1989-2019), 21st century. Estimate: £1,500-2,000.

23 April 2024