Japanese Bronze Usubata Vase with Silver Inlay, Meiji
October 2013 Auction by Far East Asian Art

Fine three-part bronze usubata with rectangular handles, silver inlay, and a curvilinear trifoot base. Late 19th century. This is a classical container for the ikenobo school of ikebana. The design on the front of the body depicts a silver goose in low relief standing on a river bank under a banana tree. The tree and two leaves are engraved into the bronze body, and a third leaf is inlaid with delicate silver wires. Scattered horizontal silver wires next to the bank suggest water...