As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this most unusual pair of Meiji Period 1868-1912, bronze and mixed metal vases, each individual vase depicts a multitude of silver, shibuichi and mixed alloy Manchurian cranes in a quite dramatic scene of birds taking flight in differing directions, remarkably the unknown but highly skilled artist has chosen to depict these birds in flight against a sunrise to one vase and a sunset to the other, the bright copper sun lights up the finely carved and gilded clouds with a red glow. Another striking feature are the finely damascened necks of each vase which at first glance appear to be nunomezogan work on iron, but actually the geometric gilding is painstakingly worked on the bronze body to stunning effect, with each neck rim then further decorated with solid shakudo water dragons and mythical beasts, a most adventurous and interesting mix of metalwork carving, inlaid and onlaid techniques from this very capable yet ...