As part of our Japanese works of art exhibition we are delighted to offer this exceptional quality pair of Meiji Period (1868-1912)  mixed metal vases. The vases are formed from pure silver with each vase housing four shaped shibuichi panels decorated in fine quality mixed metals including shakudo, silver and gold. The artist has gone to extraordinary lengths to manufacture these vases in such complex fashion, the blackened silver bodies rise and taper from the platform base with the inset shibuichi panels formed to curve within their individual gilt frames, this unusual form gives rise to a slight convex effect as well as an appealing softened angled aspect, presumably intended to display four panels at once. Each of the designs are painstakingly crafted as individual scenes of birds in flight or at rest within native flora, each panel a work of art in its own right.The necks and bases are further decorated with conforming gold floral swags with the inner linings of these heavy ga...