Pair of very fine, large, Meiji period patinated bronze baluster vases

With gilded decoration, these beautiful Meiji period vases are by a renowed, highly-regarded Japanese maker, and are cast in patinated bronze with many birds, flowers, and dragons applied in relief.

Of baluster form, they are decorated with a variety of panels that enclose beautifully sculpted birds and flowers in high relief. They each feature, large, swirling dragons to the lower half, and the handles on the neck are also bird shaped, cast with a remarkably sensitive artistic touch.

The base of the neck of each is applied with splahes of gold, that give in a rich, glimmering quality, emblematic of the vases' exceptional level of rarity and craftsmanship. They are also inscribed with poetry, which can possibly be translated, roughly, as one vase: 'Bush warblers are singing and flitting between the branches of plum trees, as if they are embroidering a hat with designs of plum blossom' and on the other: ' the guards are idle at the moment, however, the scent of plum flowers is carried though the fence by the wind.'

Hashimoto Isshi was a very fine maker in Meiji Era Japan, by all means a master craftsman and artist, exemplifying the great skill of metalworkers of this period. A selection of fuchi-kashira, (sword hilts and pommels), by Hashimoto Isshi are held in the British Museum, London, and also attest to his exceptional skill and artistry.