Vase - Gilt, Patinated bronze, Silver, A rare pair of inlaid bronze vases decorated with two Onagadori roosters on a wooden original stand - Marked Nogawa company and signed Yoshimasa 良正 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
Pair of bronze vases decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tails. The roosters' long tails extend gracefully, adding dynamism and grace.
Every detail is taken care of with skill: the roosters' feathers are precisely defined, their attitudes reveal pride and vitality. The long, flowing feathers are inlaid with precious metals, gold and silver, adding a touch of sophistication to their natural beauty.
The roosters are depicted perched on a plum branch, another addition of symbolic and aesthetic significance. The flowering branch offers a delicate counterpoint to the strength and liveliness of the roosters, creating a harmonious balance in the overall composition.
Nogawa company brand under the base. Signature engraved on the side.
Founded in Kyoto in 1825, during the Meiji era the Nogawa company exhibited at major international expositions between 1893 and 1910, as well as the Naikoku Kangyō Hakurankai (National Industrial Promotion Exhibitions) in 1881 and 1890.
Complete with two Tomobako paulownia storage boxes and wooden bases.
Height of the vases without base: 15. 5 cm.
The Onagadori breed has been declared a "living natural monument" in Japan, to be safeguarded and protected.
Japanese tradition tells of a legend featuring the Onagadori breed. In fact, the story has been handed down of Prince Yamanouchi, governor of Kochi prefecture, who, to pay homage to Emperor Tenno, wanted to decorate the army's helmets and spears with long feathers.
With the intention of honoring his mandate, he gave the order to the farmers of the region to raise Onagadori roosters and hens, encouraging their grazing but above all without imposing extraordinary taxes on them. Precisely this tax exemption developed the production of the breed and the consequent collection of feathers.
As evidence of this story, many Japanese museums today collect spears and helmets decorated with long onagadori feathers, as well as painted fabrics, kimonos, tapestries and fans depicting the rooster with the long colored tail.
---The vases are in excellent condition. Please refer to the images for further details.
The history of bronzes, silver and enamels is closely linked to that of an iconic figure of Japan: the Samurai. For the entire Edo period, i. e. from 1603 to 1868, the effective elite in control of the territory was precisely that of the Samurai. In fact, they were the ones who governed, under the guidance of the Daimyo, the various provinces of the country.
When the Edo period ended and the Meiji Restoration began, Japan's social structure underwent a radical change.
On March 28, 1876, the Haitorei edict was issued. With this provision, samurai were prohibited from carrying swords in public, under penalty of confiscation of the weapon.
This state of affairs threw the metal craftsmen into despair and they suddenly found themselves without trade.
It was only an initial phase however, because within a short time the artisans themselves reinvented themselves. Over time they had in fact refined extraordinary artistic skills. Declining their mastery into an alternative production was therefore almost a natural consequence. No longer being able to dedicate themselves to the manufacture of accessories for armor and swords, they began producing articles for everyday use. And in many cases of decorative objects.
It was the beginning of a great success. Soon the copious artistic production had concrete results. In fact, it did not go unnoticed in the eyes of foreign diplomats, travelers and military advisors who were in Japan at that time.
But national borders were soon crossed and Japan's participation in world fairs and exhibitions was not long in coming. Hence the real explosion of interest in these sublime works of art. All this translated into an increase in demand from Europe and Anglo-Saxon countries in particular which still appreciate Japanese art today.
--- We will pack your item with extreme care and entrust it to DHL or UPS who will deliver it within 1-3 days. Insurance is included.
The certificate of authenticity compiled by Luca Mastromauro, a Japanese art expert, will be given to the buyer. ---
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Pair of bronze vases decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tails. The roosters' long tails extend gracefully, adding dynamism and grace.
Every detail is taken care of with skill: the roosters' feathers are precisely defined, their attitudes reveal pride and vitality. The long, flowing feathers are inlaid with precious metals, gold and silver, adding a touch of sophistication to their natural beauty.
The roosters are depicted perched on a plum branch, another addition of symbolic and aesthetic significance. The flowering branch offers a delicate counterpoint to the strength and liveliness of the roosters, creating a harmonious balance in the overall composition.
Nogawa company brand under the base. Signature engraved on the side.
Founded in Kyoto in 1825, during the Meiji era the Nogawa company exhibited at major international expositions between 1893 and 1910, as well as the Naikoku Kangyō Hakurankai (National Industrial Promotion Exhibitions) in 1881 and 1890.
Complete with two Tomobako paulownia storage boxes and wooden bases.
Height of the vases without base: 15. 5 cm.
The Onagadori breed has been declared a "living natural monument" in Japan, to be safeguarded and protected.
Japanese tradition tells of a legend featuring the Onagadori breed. In fact, the story has been handed down of Prince Yamanouchi, governor of Kochi prefecture, who, to pay homage to Emperor Tenno, wanted to decorate the army's helmets and spears with long feathers.
With the intention of honoring his mandate, he gave the order to the farmers of the region to raise Onagadori roosters and hens, encouraging their grazing but above all without imposing extraordinary taxes on them. Precisely this tax exemption developed the production of the breed and the consequent collection of feathers.
As evidence of this story, many Japanese museums today collect spears and helmets decorated with long onagadori feathers, as well as painted fabrics, kimonos, tapestries and fans depicting the rooster with the long colored tail.
---The vases are in excellent condition. Please refer to the images for further details.
The history of bronzes, silver and enamels is closely linked to that of an iconic figure of Japan: the Samurai. For the entire Edo period, i. e. from 1603 to 1868, the effective elite in control of the territory was precisely that of the Samurai. In fact, they were the ones who governed, under the guidance of the Daimyo, the various provinces of the country.
When the Edo period ended and the Meiji Restoration began, Japan's social structure underwent a radical change.
On March 28, 1876, the Haitorei edict was issued. With this provision, samurai were prohibited from carrying swords in public, under penalty of confiscation of the weapon.
This state of affairs threw the metal craftsmen into despair and they suddenly found themselves without trade.
It was only an initial phase however, because within a short time the artisans themselves reinvented themselves. Over time they had in fact refined extraordinary artistic skills. Declining their mastery into an alternative production was therefore almost a natural consequence. No longer being able to dedicate themselves to the manufacture of accessories for armor and swords, they began producing articles for everyday use. And in many cases of decorative objects.
It was the beginning of a great success. Soon the copious artistic production had concrete results. In fact, it did not go unnoticed in the eyes of foreign diplomats, travelers and military advisors who were in Japan at that time.
But national borders were soon crossed and Japan's participation in world fairs and exhibitions was not long in coming. Hence the real explosion of interest in these sublime works of art. All this translated into an increase in demand from Europe and Anglo-Saxon countries in particular which still appreciate Japanese art today.
--- We will pack your item with extreme care and entrust it to DHL or UPS who will deliver it within 1-3 days. Insurance is included.
The certificate of authenticity compiled by Luca Mastromauro, a Japanese art expert, will be given to the buyer. ---
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Time, Location
Auction House
