Offered in this lot is an Original Signed Japanese Ando Cloisonné Gold Wire Floral Vase, rim and base in sterling silver, circa early to mid 20th century. Ando Cloisonné Company is a Japanese cloisonné making company located in Sakae, Nagoya and was founded in the late 19th century province of Owari, in the area that today forms the western half of Aichi Prefecture. The province was one of the foremost production centres of enamel in the country. Cloisonné experienced strong growth around the time of the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900 and Japanese enamel work became sought after in the west and sourced many pieces from Toshima, which is the origin of Owari cloisonne. the Ando Company was given an Imperial Warrant of Appointment to the Japanese royal court. Warrants have been issued for centuries to tradespeople who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The royal warrant enables the supplies to advertise that they supply to the issuer of the warrant, thus lending prestige to the supplier. Ando cloisonné was also presented as state gifts. Manchukuo Prime Minister Zheng Xiaoxu (1860-1938) wrote four Chinese characters in calligraphy in praise of a vase that was presented to him as a gift. Ando is one of the very few traditional cloisonné companies still left in Japan. Objects from Ando are held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum and in the Victoria and Albert Museum. This vase features a floral design and is is in very fine condition, no marring noted. Measures 8"H x 10.5" diameter