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ID #SA1209106
FOR SALE
£1,500
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Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.
For sale by Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €1,755     $1,905
£1,500

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
Browse dealers 175 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
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Id #SA1209106
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Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.

19th century
Description

Masterpiece Japanese Totai Shippo Round Box, with Cover. Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds and Flowers. Circa 1890. Extremely rare container (or Japanese Kogo) in this large size.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain. Superbly decorated with birds sitting on a branch with poeonies flowering in full bloom and foliage fruiting with berries. Superb. An extremely difficult process with superb workmanship, rich colours and beautiful contrast.

Condition: Superb original.

[Display stand not included].

Dimensions:

Height = 13.5 cm

Diameter = 22 cm

*Totai shippo, meaning "body cloisonné," is a Japanese ceramic technique where urushi lacquer cloisonne decoration is applied to a ceramic or porcelain base. This difficult technique was developed around 1868 by Sukamoto Kaisuke. Totai shippo or “Tree-bark” cloisonne is relatively fragile due to the delicate multi-layering and surfacing technique.

**A kōgō is usually a small, lidded container used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) to hold incense. They are crucial for creating a specific atmosphere and are often chosen to match the season, featuring diverse, artistic designs including animals, flowers, and fruits, typically made from ceramics, lacquer, or metal.

Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Totai Shippo Box to the 1890s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
13.5cm (5.31")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
22cm (8.66")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1209106
Dealers Internal Reference
D:06016
Description
Masterpiece Japanese Totai Shippo Round Box, with Cover. Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds and Flowers. Circa 1890. Extremely rare container (or Japanese Kogo) in this large size.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain.

“
Superbly decorated with birds sitting on a branch with poeonies flowering in full bloom and foliage fruiting with berries.
Dragoncharger Antiques

Superb. An extremely difficult process with superb workmanship, rich colours and beautiful contrast.

fig 1. A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.
fig 1. Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.

Condition: Superb original.

[Display stand not included].

Dimensions:

Height = 13.5 cm

Diameter = 22 cm

Totai shippo, meaning "body cloisonné," is a Japanese ceramic technique where urushi lacquer cloisonne decoration is applied to a ceramic or porcelain base. This difficult technique was developed around 1868 by Sukamoto Kaisuke. Totai shippo or “Tree-bark” cloisonne is relatively fragile due to the delicate multi-layering and surfacing technique.

fig 2. A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.
fig 2. Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.

A kōgō is usually a small, lidded container used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) to hold incense. They are crucial for creating a specific atmosphere and are often chosen to match the season, featuring diverse, artistic designs including animals, flowers, and fruits, typically made from ceramics, lacquer, or metal.

Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Totai Shippo Box to the 1890s.

Height
13.5cm (5.31")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
22cm (8.66")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1209106
Dealers Internal Ref
D:06016
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragoncharger Antiques Profile Page

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A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.
1 / 15
Archive I A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.

Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.

Archive II A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View II
Archive III A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View III
Archive IV A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View IV
Archive V A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View V
Archive VI A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View VI
Archive VII A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View VII
Archive VIII A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View VIII
Archive IX A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View IX
Archive X A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View X
Archive XI A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View XI
Archive XII A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View XII
Archive XIII A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View XIII
Archive XIV A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View XIV
Archive XV A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing. View XV
Enlarged Archival View

Dragoncharger Antiques
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 175
Items Sold 20
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
175
Sold
20
A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.
Japanese Totai Shippo Large Round Box - Cloisonne Tree Bark, with Birds / Flowers. Circa 1890.
Ref: SA1209106
A round antique Japanese Totai Shippo covered box with a textured tree bark enamel surface decorated with red flowers, birds, and brass rim detailing.
Detail View 1
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Box
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMeiji Period
  • MaterialEnamel, Ceramic, Brass, Copper
  • ColourBrown and Red
  • MotifsTree bark ground texture, Polychrome floral motif, Brass rim mounts, Avian decoration
  • SizeH 13.5 cm (5 in) x W 22 cm (9 in) x D 22 cm (9 in)

This large Japanese Totai Shippo round box and cover dates from the Meiji period around 1890. Created in the Totai Shippo technique with enamel, ceramic, brass, and copper, the piece possesses a brown and red colour scheme featuring a textured tree bark ground texture and a polychrome floral motif. The exterior displays a carved and textured surface depicting birds sitting on branches, flowering peonies in full bloom, foliage fruiting with berries, and avian decoration, all complemented by polished brass rim mounts. The vessel stands 13.5 cm high, 22 cm wide, and 22 cm deep. Positioned on a sideboard top, this gentleman's library accessory serves as an elegant container for small items or as a standalone decorative object. The rounded silhouette exhibits an integrated lid meeting the lower section at a central brass band, creating a balanced spherical profile when closed. The multi-layered surface technique provides tactile depth, while the detailed wirework defines each petal, leaf, and bird against the darker brown bark texture. The construction combines ceramic, metal, and enamel elements in a traditional Japanese container format.

FAQs

Totai Shippo is a specialised technique developed in Japan during the late 19th century where cloisonne enamel is applied onto a ceramic or porcelain base rather than a traditional metal body, often featuring a textured ground resembling tree bark.

These items typically consist of a earthenware or stoneware core, copper wire cloisons forming decorative outlines, vitreous enamel glazes in naturalistic colours, and polished brass or copper metal rims.

Authentic Meiji period pieces exhibit fine wirework, matte or textured enamel grounds alongside glossy glazed areas, characteristic botanical or avian subjects, and visible age-related patination on metal rim mounts.

A decorative cloisonne box functions well as an accent piece on a sideboard, coffee table, or desk, adding texture, rich colour tone, and historical interest to modern minimalist or classic interior settings.

Clean gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth to remove dust. Avoid moisture, harsh chemicals, or abrasive pastes, as liquids can seep beneath the enamel cells or damage the underlying ceramic structure.
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