Presented in this lot is a Japanese Cloisonné Gold Wire Floral Jar. A hybrid tea rose flower bush is the featured motif. The rim is in sterling silver, the base is in copper. Circa early to mid 20th century. The 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 Japan. 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. There are two distinct qualities or types expressed in Japanese art: one suggesting endless patience in the execution of minute detail, the other denoting a momentary conception of some fleeting idea carried out with boldness and freedom of expression in form and line – profuse complexity and extreme simplicity… the work on Japanese cloisonné ware generally exhibits the quality suggestive of unwearying labour and patience. Although Chinese enamels had been imported and highly valued in Japan since at least the seventeenth century, there was apparently no production of three-dimensional cloisonné-enamel objects in Japan until the early nineteenth century. The peak of cloisonné enamel production followed the ‘reopening’ of Japan in the 1850s and the ensuing obsession in the West for all forms of Japanese art. The most noticeable difference between Japanese and Chinese cloisonné is the glassy surface. Japanese cloisonné is almost always finely ground and buffed to achieve this polished jewel-like transparency on the surface. Another striking difference is in the realistic design. On Japanese cloisonné, natural trees and flowers are preferred and realistically rendered (seen above) while Chinese works dominantly use auspicious symbols, such as dragons and lotus scrolls, in simplified patterns and designs. This Japanese cloisonné gold wire floral jar is in good overall condition, impact cracks are exhibited beneath the finish layer of the enamel but do not travel to the surface, slight crack noted beneath base enamel as well. Rim shows scratching consistent with age and use, copper base exhibits oxidation consistent with age and use as a flower vase. No other obvious marring noted. Measures 4.5"W x 5"H; rim mouth is 2"W, base is 2.75"W