1910-1930 Magnificent Japanese Mitsukoshi Silvered Copper Chrysanthemum & Festival Barrel Bowl, Marked 越造

$1,100.00
Offered, this exceptional Japanese silvered copper bowl represents the height of Echizen metal craftsmanship during the early 20th century. Bearing the workshop mark 越前造 (Echizen-zō, “Made in Echizen”), the piece hails from one of Japan’s oldest and most respected centers of metal artistry—a region renowned for its hammered copper, ceremonial vessels, fine blades, and luxury decorative objects since the Edo period. Hand-raised from copper and richly plated in silver, the bowl displays a remarkable fluency of technique. Its elegantly lobed, fluted form recalls classical Japanese vessels of the Meiji exposition era, where artists adapted traditional forms into ambitious sculptural works for both domestic connoisseurs and the international market. Against a meticulously stippled ground, superb high-relief chrysanthemums rise in full bloom, each petal and leaf chased individually by hand. The chrysanthemum (kiku), revered as the emblem of the Imperial Household and long associated with longevity, dignity, and renewal, appears here at its most luxuriant—radiant, dense, and full of life. Balancing the floral panels is a dramatic depiction of a festival barrel, a rope-bound sake vessel traditionally displayed at celebrations and New Year rites. In Japanese culture, the sake barrel symbolizes abundance, harmony, and communal joy. Its presence on this bowl is no coincidence: it signals festivity and prosperity, making this an especially auspicious vessel intended for gatherings, offerings, or ceremonial display. In this marriage of chrysanthemum and barrel, the artist captures both the poetry and the conviviality of Japanese tradition. The underside bears the distinctive seal 越前 (“Mirsukoshi”) in circular script above the square character 造 (“made by”), marking the piece as a creation for the prestigious department store (ca. 1910–1930). Such marks were used by artisan studios whose craftsmen adapted Meiji-era exhibition techniques—deep repoussé, fine chasing, and sharply modeled detail—into luxury silvered wares of impressive beauty and weight. Surviving examples of this scale and quality are relatively uncommon, especially with the crispness of detail preserved here. The craftsmanship is consistent with higher-end Echizen work: bold relief, confident hammering, and a commanding decorative presence that easily anchors a room. Condition: Excellent for its age. Silver plating remains bright with attractive surface tone; chased details are crisp and deeply modeled. Dimensions: Large centerpiece scale; see photographs for its substantial presence when displayed. 6.5" x 12.5". Materials: Hand-raised copper body with heavy silver plate; chased and textured entirely by hand. Delivery: Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of this item. This bowl is far more than a serving vessel—it is a sculptural statement from one of Japan’s great metalworking provinces, rich in cultural symbolism and alive with the artistry of a period when Japanese decorative arts captivated the world. A superb offering for collectors of Japanese metalwork, connoisseurs of Meiji-Taishō craftsmanship, or anyone seeking a dramatic, meaningful focal point with both beauty and heritage. An extraordinary piece, and one that carries both the dignity of the chrysanthemum and the celebratory spirit of the barrel—an unforgettable combination. Browse more of my antiques here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=6783279 Get this remarkable piece—or simply explore the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
Offered, this exceptional Japanese silvered copper bowl represents the height of Echizen metal craftsmanship during the early 20th century. Bearing the workshop mark 越前造 (Echizen-zō, “Made in Echizen”), the piece hails from one of Japan’s oldest and most respected centers of metal artistry—a region renowned for its hammered copper, ceremonial vessels, fine blades, and luxury decorative objects since the Edo period. Hand-raised from copper and richly plated in silver, the bowl displays a remarkable fluency of technique. Its elegantly lobed, fluted form recalls classical Japanese vessels of the Meiji exposition era, where artists adapted traditional forms into ambitious sculptural works for both domestic connoisseurs and the international market. Against a meticulously stippled ground, superb high-relief chrysanthemums rise in full bloom, each petal and leaf chased individually by hand. The chrysanthemum (kiku), revered as the emblem of the Imperial Household and long associated with longevity, dignity, and renewal, appears here at its most luxuriant—radiant, dense, and full of life. Balancing the floral panels is a dramatic depiction of a festival barrel, a rope-bound sake vessel traditionally displayed at celebrations and New Year rites. In Japanese culture, the sake barrel symbolizes abundance, harmony, and communal joy. Its presence on this bowl is no coincidence: it signals festivity and prosperity, making this an especially auspicious vessel intended for gatherings, offerings, or ceremonial display. In this marriage of chrysanthemum and barrel, the artist captures both the poetry and the conviviality of Japanese tradition. The underside bears the distinctive seal 越前 (“Mirsukoshi”) in circular script above the square character 造 (“made by”), marking the piece as a creation for the prestigious department store (ca. 1910–1930). Such marks were used by artisan studios whose craftsmen adapted Meiji-era exhibition techniques—deep repoussé, fine chasing, and sharply modeled detail—into luxury silvered wares of impressive beauty and weight. Surviving examples of this scale and quality are relatively uncommon, especially with the crispness of detail preserved here. The craftsmanship is consistent with higher-end Echizen work: bold relief, confident hammering, and a commanding decorative presence that easily anchors a room. Condition: Excellent for its age. Silver plating remains bright with attractive surface tone; chased details are crisp and deeply modeled. Dimensions: Large centerpiece scale; see photographs for its substantial presence when displayed. 6.5" x 12.5". Materials: Hand-raised copper body with heavy silver plate; chased and textured entirely by hand. Delivery: Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of this item. This bowl is far more than a serving vessel—it is a sculptural statement from one of Japan’s great metalworking provinces, rich in cultural symbolism and alive with the artistry of a period when Japanese decorative arts captivated the world. A superb offering for collectors of Japanese metalwork, connoisseurs of Meiji-Taishō craftsmanship, or anyone seeking a dramatic, meaningful focal point with both beauty and heritage. An extraordinary piece, and one that carries both the dignity of the chrysanthemum and the celebratory spirit of the barrel—an unforgettable combination. Browse more of my antiques here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=6783279 Get this remarkable piece—or simply explore the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP