182 - † GONDA HIROSUKE: A SUPERB PAIR OF LARGE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘DOVES’ VASES

† GONDA HIROSUKE: A SUPERB PAIR OF LARGE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘DOVES’ VASES By Gonda Hirosuke (1865-1937), signed with the mark of Gonda Hirosuke Japan, early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Each masterfully crafted, the baluster body rising from a splayed foot through gently sloping shoulders to a slender, waisted neck with a trumpet-shaped mouth, both ends fitted with silvered mounts. The exteriors exquisitely enameled with two opposing doves against a rich vermilion-red ground, their remarkably lifelike appearance achieved through extraordinary technical precision and masterful gradations of enamel. The plumage is rendered in a dazzling spectrum of blues, ranging from delicate turquoise and pale azure to intense cobalt, interspersed with brilliant white, while the neck and breast exhibit exceptionally subtle transitions from pure white through soft gray to deep charcoal. The individual feathers are meticulously delineated in fine silver wire, with intricate patterns and minute details creating an astonishing sense of depth and naturalism. The harmonious combination of painterly shading and precise silver-wire work demonstrates the exceptional technical virtuosity of Gonda Hirosuke and represents a remarkable achievement of Japanese cloisonné craftsmanship. The bases incised with the mark of Gonda Hirosuke in the form of a flaming pearl (tama). HEIGHT 36.4 cm (each) WEIGHT 926.1 g and 964.5 g Condition: Pristine condition with no signs of damage or restoration under UV light. Some very minor wear to the silvered metal mounts. Gonda Hirosuke (1865-1937) was adopted into the Gonda family in 1887 and trained under Hayashi Kodenji. He established his own enameling workshop in Nagoya in 1891. Renowned for his exceptional technical mastery and innovative use of cloisonné enamels, he excelled in combining intricate silver-wire decoration with subtle, painterly gradations of color, achieving remarkable depth and naturalism. He also collaborated as a subcontractor with the Ando Jubei workshop, mastering a wide range of enameling techniques and becoming one of the leading figures of the golden age of Japanese cloisonné. He received numerous awards at international expositions, including Paris (1889), Chicago (1893), St. Louis (1904), and Liège (1905). Auction comparison: Compare a closely related larger cloisonné enamel vase, decorated with doves amongst wisteria branches, by Gonda Hirosuke, dated to the late 19th century, 45.8 cm high, at Christie's, Japanese Craftsmanship: Art of the Meiji Period, 23 July 2015, London, lot 74 (sold for GBP 15,000 or approx. EUR 25,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.