As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this fine quality pair of Meiji Period 1868-1912 , bronze and mixed metal vases by one of the most highly regarded workshops of the period, Inoue of Kyoto, the baluster shaped vases are formed from a heavy gauge caramel colored sentoku bronze each finely onlaid with mixed metal scenes of native birds amongst cherry blossom trees (Sakura), the birds and flora formed from silver , gold and shakudo, both the foot and neck rims of the vases have been painstakingly worked in exceptionally fine gilt diaper bands in a style not dissimilar to the nunomezogan techniques commonly found on damascened wares by Inoue and indeed the Komai company of Kyoto, it is not known what connection these two companies had, if any at all , however there was a striking similarity in some of the wares produced at the time, these vases are signed in a gilt tablet to the underside that translate to read Inoue of Kyoto , and would make a very ...