176 - SOMIN: A FINE SHIBAYAMA-INLAID GOLD LACQUERED VASE

SOMIN: A FINE SHIBAYAMA-INLAID GOLD LACQUERED VASE By Somin, signed Somin Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of elegant hexagonal baluster form, supported on a splayed foot, the faceted body rising through angular shoulders to a long, gently waisted neck. The lustrous kinji ground exquisitely inlaid in Shibayama style with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell, depicting three birds in flight among the flowering branches of a cherry tree, with butterflies fluttering between the blossoms. The neck and foot further embellished with densely scattered gold flakes on a radiant nashiji ground. Signed SOMIN within an oval inlaid cartouche to one side. HEIGHT 16.1 cm Condition: Very good condition, the inlays are remarkably intact. With expected wear to the gold lacquer including minor age cracks and tiny nicks along the edges. One small area of re-touching to the gold lacquer next to the middle bird. Auction comparison: Compare a related Shibayama lacquer and silver-mounted baluster vase by Komin, dated to the late 19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2013, New York, lot 2240 (sold for USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 11,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).