Featured Enameled Vase

I’ve had this piece a couple years and enjoy looking at it in a spot I often sit. I don’t know much about it though. It looks like plique a jour but it’s backed so I don’t know if it qualifies? It’s not standard cloisonné type enamel either though. There are what seem to be real turquoise cabochons on top of body. The design seems to be hearts. Then there are what look like Chinese clouds to me. The work itself looks Chinese to me more than anything else. I thought about Tibetan too but not for any reason I could back up. Hearts aren’t something any Asian culture incorporates into their work that I know of though. It seems to be silver plated copper but not silver plated in a modern western electroplated method. It seems to be a rudimentary silver bath and the bottom looks to have even had the silver brushed on a bit. I got it from a dealer that get a lot of very good, very high end antiques from very good northeastern estates and auctions. I got it super cheap in one of his online auctions though. That’s not a good sign but some of my greatest profits have come from some of his stuff that doesn’t get the right eyes at the right time. I never really wanted to sell this but I’m trying to get in the mode that I’ll list the stuff I want to keep at very high prices and if it sells it sells. I can’t keep keeping things at the rate I am and not get swallowed whole. Anyways anyone have any idea what I have here? It’s a completely unique to anything I’ve seen. It is under 5”.

 

Interesting Looks like pieces of turquoise are embedded in it.

 

In plique a jour light can come through the enamel. The word you want is cloisonne.

 

Far better than the usual examples I think

Really nice design

Kinda thinking real turquoise cab stones as well ?

 

Thanks. I really like it too. I do believe they are real. The piece seems to have some legitimate age to it.

 

It is definitely cloisonné, and Chinese made.
You're right, it isn't Tibetan. I think the motif that looks like one of the Buddhist treasures reminded you of Tibetan, which is understandable.
It looks post 1950, because of the twisted wires used. Probably much later still.
The combination of cloisonné and stone inlay is a traditional one. The cabs could be dyed howlite, could you post closeups please?

It is very decorative, with attractive colours, but not the best quality cloisonné. The wires and their application don't have finesse, and the enamel wasn't applied with much care.
I can't see this selling for a high price, so I think you'll enjoy its company for a long time, which is what you wanted anyway.

I'm sure it would shine if you give it a gentle wash, making sure you don't soak the stones. A dollop of foamy soap touching the stones isn't a problem, but wipe it off carefully.

Yes, they do, throughout Asia.

 

Glad I was on the right track with Chinese. I agree that it’s not fine work. It’s good enough to be good looking though and it’s unlike anything myself and most people have seen, that counts for something most of the time. A little more care could have been taken with the brush. I’m out of town but I’ll grab photos of the cabs when I’m back.

I’m interested if you could show some traditional asian pieces with hearts? Links or photos? I’ll assume you’re correct because experience has told me you usually (if not always) are. I’m genuinely curious to see some. I can’t think of any common or traditional Japanese or Chinese things I’ve ever seen with a heart.

 

J, at the moment I am swamped with all sorts of things, haven't even had time to ask about my own stuff for ages. So in order to try and protect my personal energy supply a bit better, I prefer to stick to simple IDs, no online searches.

You don't need me btw, you can search for them yourself. Don't search for 'hearts' because that isn't a search term in Asian art. Rather, study Asian designs, and you'll come across them.

 

recharge yer fuel cells....we need you at peak efficiency !!

& also..... rest up.........we got this , while you take care of you !!!!

 

I’ll keep my eyes open! I probably look at more Asian art on a weekly basis than anything else and have never seen anything resembling a heart but I’ll take your word for it that I will eventually. I make a point to do more self education of Chinese art specifically and on Japanese to a lesser extent than anything else. I’ll try to report back when I do come upon some.