Bronze vase with wide rim

Japan, Edo period, 17th­ 18th century

Height: 5 1⁄2 inches, 14 cm
Diameter: 9 1⁄2 inches, 24 cm

A bronze vase of rounded form, supported on a stepped circular foot and terminating in a very wide neck with a lipped rim, which is incised with a geometric pattern. The middle part of the body is cast with shaped panels containing a low relief Chinese inspired archaistic design. The metal has an even dark brown patina.

 

Both the shape and the decoration of this elegant bronze flower vase were inspired by early Chinese bronzes. During the Edo period and immediately afterwards Chinese works of art were quite fashionable as an inspiration to Japanese artists.