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ID #SA1210552
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£1,250
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Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.
For sale by Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
Browse dealers 175 items
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    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
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Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

19th century
Description

Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain. Vase superbly decorated with numerous Butterflies. The cloisonne and lacquer work is superlative with attention to detail, colour and precision. The brightness is significantly enhanced by the Kintsugi gold work.

An extremely difficult process with superb workmanship, rich colours and beautiful contrast. Porcelain vessel with the finest of Cloisonné work incorporating Traditional Japanese Urushi Lacquer, supplemented by the finest Kintsugi Techniques.

Condition: Superb. Whilst technically Kintsugi Technique is 'conservation work' the end result is better than original. Urushi lacquer work and porcelain in excellent condition. A micro-dot is affixed to the base, inscribed 'K', notably by the talented artist KintsugiWabiSabi.

[Display stand not included].

Dimensions:

Height = 10.5 cm

Diameter (widest point) = 9 cm

*Kintsugi and Wabi-sabi represent a Japanese philosophy focused on embracing flaws and finding beauty in imperfection, aging, and transience. Kintsugi ("golden joinery") is the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, highlighting repairs rather than hiding them, while Wabi-sabi appreciates the aesthetic of the weathered and imperfect.

Kintsugi (Golden Joinery): A ~600-year-old technique where broken ceramics are mended with precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). It turns fractured items into unique pieces of art, celebrating their history and resilience rather than discarding them. Wabi-Sabi (Imperfection Aesthetics): A world view centered on finding beauty in natural imperfection (Wabi) and the charm of age (Sabi). It appreciates the simple, natural, and transient. Philosophy: This combination teaches that damage or imperfections are not flaws to be hidden, but part of an object's or person’s story, adding to its value and beauty.

**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.

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1210552
Dealers Internal Reference
D:06027
Description
Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

The creativity and artwork is superlative, and of the highest artisan quality. Finely rendered in the Totai Shippo technique on porcelain. Vase superbly decorated with numerous Butterflies. The cloisonne and lacquer work is superlative with attention to detail, colour and precision. The brightness is significantly enhanced by the Kintsugi gold work.

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

“
Porcelain vessel with the finest of Cloisonné work incorporating Traditional Japanese Urushi Lacquer, supplemented by the finest Kintsugi Techniques.
Dragoncharger Antiques
fig 1. A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
fig 1. Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

Condition: Superb. Whilst technically Kintsugi Technique is 'conservation work' the end result is better than original. Urushi lacquer work and porcelain in excellent condition. A micro-dot is affixed to the base, inscribed 'K', notably by the talented artist KintsugiWabiSabi.

fig 2. A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
fig 2. Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

[Display stand not included].

Dimensions:

Height = 10.5 cm

Diameter (widest point) = 9 cm

Kintsugi and Wabi-sabi represent a Japanese philosophy focused on embracing flaws and finding beauty in imperfection, aging, and transience. Kintsugi ("golden joinery") is the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, highlighting repairs rather than hiding them, while Wabi-sabi appreciates the aesthetic of the weathered and imperfect.

fig 3. A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
fig 3. Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

Kintsugi (Golden Joinery): A ~600-year-old technique where broken ceramics are mended with precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). It turns fractured items into unique pieces of art, celebrating their history and resilience rather than discarding them. Wabi-Sabi (Imperfection Aesthetics): A world view centered on finding beauty in natural imperfection (Wabi) and the charm of age (Sabi). It appreciates the simple, natural, and transient. Philosophy: This combination teaches that damage or imperfections are not flaws to be hidden, but part of an object's or person’s story, adding to its value and beauty.

fig 4. A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
fig 4. Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

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.

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1210552
Dealers Internal Ref
D:06027
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 bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
1 / 15
Archive I A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.

Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.

Archive II A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View II
Archive III A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View III
Archive IV A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View IV
Archive V A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View V
Archive VI A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View VI
Archive VII A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View VII
Archive VIII A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View VIII
Archive IX A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View IX
Archive X A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View X
Archive XI A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View XI
Archive XII A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View XII
Archive XIII A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View XIII
Archive XIV A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View XIV
Archive XV A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand. View XV
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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 bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
Fine Japanese Totai Shippo Vase. Cloisonne Tree Bark: Kintsugi Technique. Butterfly. Circa 1890.
Ref: SA1210552
A bulbous dark brown ceramic vase with textured tree-bark surface and colourful enamel butterfly designs resting on a dark carved wooden stand.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVases
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Meiji Period
  • MaterialPorcelain, Ceramic Enamel, Wire
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsButterfly enamel motifs, Tree bark texture, Carved wooden base, Everted rim
  • SizeH 10.5 cm (4 in) x W 9 cm (4 in) x D 9 cm (4 in)

This Totai Shippo vase comes from the Japanese Meiji period around 1890. The bulbous porcelain vessel has a dark brown textured tree bark surface and an everted rim, resting on a dark carved wooden stand. The exterior displays colourful green, red, and gold enamel butterfly motifs created using cloisonne, traditional Japanese urushi lacquer, and the Kintsugi gold work technique. A micro-dot is affixed to the base with an inscribed letter K. The object measures 10.5 cm high by 9 cm wide by 9 cm deep. This decorative ceramic piece suits display on a sideboard top in a gentleman's library or a living room. The rich contrasts and detailed metal wire inlays provide a visual focal point for collectors of antique Asian art. The sturdy porcelain construction and specialized lacquer surfacing ensure durability for everyday interior placement.

FAQs

Totai Shippo is a specialised late 19th-century Japanese cloisonne technique where vitreous enamel wirework is applied directly to a ceramic or porcelain vessel rather than a metal body, frequently featuring a faux tree-bark textured surface glaze.

These vessels consist of a ceramic substrate finished with a tactile, bark-like glaze, decorated using fine metal cloisons that enclose polychrome glass enamel pastes fired directly onto the exterior.

Authentic late Meiji period examples display intricate metallic wirework contrasting against a dark, rough-textured ceramic body, often revealing smooth porcelain at the interior neck or base.

Display the piece as a standalone accent on a mantelpiece or dark wood sideboard, allowing its deep tones and detailed enamel work to act as a focal point against muted walls.

Maintain the surface by dusting gently with a soft dry brush or microfibre cloth, keeping the vessel away from water immersion or chemical solvents that could loosen wire structures or damage unglazed ceramic areas.
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