Japanese cloisonné enamel vase decorated with carps, Taisho Period

Japanese cloisonné enamel vase of baluster shape finely worked in silver and gold wire decorated with koi carps leaping up a waterfall on a brilliant blue ground applied with silver mounts. The foot rim marked Jungin 純銀 (pure silver) and the base signed in an oval reserve Ando sei 安藤製 (made by Ando), Taisho Period.

The original tomobako box inscribed on the lid Shippo asobu koi kabin, Jubei 
七寶遊鯉花瓶, 重兵衛 (cloisonné vase with the design of swimming carps by Ando Jubei) with red seal mark Ando kinsei 安藤 謹製 (respectfully made by Ando).

The Koi (nishikigoi 錦鯉) is symbolic of courage, strength of will and steadfastness in adversity. They were brought to Japan from China in the 1st Century A.D. as a source of food, but in the late19th century Japanese farmers began breeding the ornamental koi as pets for their vibrant colours and became prized possession.

The Ando Cloisonné Company was founded in 1880 by Maeda Matsukichi 前⽥田松吉 who was later joined by Ando Juzaburo known as Ando Jubei I 安藤重兵衛 (1876-1953). In 1891 and 1892 the Imperial Household purchased several pieces from the company.
During the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) periods, they were awarded medals at many Expositions in Chicago 1893, Paris 1900, Glasgow 1901, St. Louis 1904, London Japan-British Exhibition 1910 and Philadelphia 1926.

Reference: ‘The Art of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel: History, Techniques and Artists, 1600 to the Present’, by Frederich T. Schneider, North Carolina, 2010, pg. 241, no.7.

Meiji no Takara 明治の宝 Treasures of Imperial Japan, the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, The Kibo Foundation 1995. Enamel Vol. III, no. 38.

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