A fine and unusual pair of silver and gold lacquer Shibayama inlaid vasesMeiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
Each of double-gourd form, supported on four silver bamboo-form feet, the lower section of gold lacquer, richly inlaid in Shibayama style with butterflies and a small bird among clumps of different flowering chrysanthemums including kogiku, temarigiku and minogiku as well as nanten (nandina) around openwork bamboo fences, the upper section of silver, imitating textile, cast with profuse designs of kiku with slight details of coloured enamel, the two halves of the vase divided and tied by a silver tasselled cord, unsigned; with two wood storage boxes. Each vase: 18.7cm (7 3/8in) high. (4).