175 - HARUAKI: A SUPERB ENAMELED SILVER AND SHIBAYAMA-INLAID ‘HAWK AND DRAGON BASKET’ VASE

HARUAKI: A SUPERB ENAMELED SILVER AND SHIBAYAMA-INLAID ‘HAWK AND DRAGON BASKET’ VASE By Haruaki, signed Haruaki Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Raised on four splayed bracket feet, the compressed globular silver body rising to a tall, slender neck with a flaring, scalloped rim, flanked by a pair of openwork handles modelled as stylized dragons. The silver exterior richly embellished in polychrome cloisonné enamels with floral sprays, scrolling foliage, and butterflies. The body inset on either side with a large lobed gold-lacquer panel, exquisitely decorated in Shibayama-style inlays of mother-of-pearl, horn, coral, and other materials. One panel depicts a majestic hawk perched on a gnarled flowering prunus branch amid cascading wisteria, chrysanthemums, and other blossoms, with a small bird in flight. The reverse presents an elaborate hanging flower arrangement (ikebana) contained within an extraordinary dragon-shaped basket, its sinuous body, curling tail, and open jaws intricately rendered amid the profusion of blossoms. Signed HARUAKI within a rectangular gilt reserve to the underside. HEIGHT 18.5 cm WEIGHT 218 g Provenance: From a private collection in the United States. With an inventory number ‘29355’ incised to the base. Condition: Overall good condition and presenting well. Few losses to inlays and minor wear and age cracks to the gold lacquer. Auction comparison: Compare a related silver-mounted Shibayama vase by Ujitomo, similarly depicting a suspended dragon-shaped basket containing an ikebana arrangement, dated to the Meiji period, 16.8 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 5 November 2009, London, lot 114 (sold for GBP 4,080 or approx. EUR 8,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).