We have selected something very special to be our featured work of art for the month of April.
As 2025 is the Year of the Snake, we thought it a great opportunity to showcase this exceptional pair of Japanese Meiji-era Silver and multi-metal “Snake” vases from the esteemed Ozeki Company of Yokohama.
(As always, with our Blog Posts, you can click on any of the images to take a closer look at the item in question.)
A real tour-de-force of Meiji-era (1868-1912) metalworking prowess, the elegant tulip-necked body of these vases are made from Solid Silver complimented by a deep blue Shibuichi patination to the lower half. (Shibuichi is an alloy of Silver and Copper which can be treated to develop a grey / blue patina.)
The top rim of the vases are finely shaped, mimicking flower petals. They are decorated with exquisite polychrome Cloisonné floral motifs.
Further down, the lower neck of the vases is sinched with a Gold bow and underneath, inlaid stylised Phoenix birds in Shakudo, Copper and Gold give way to the Shibuichi ground.
The body of each vase is decorated with an elegant, classical floral display featuring flowering Peonies, cascading Wisteria and Imperial Chrysanthemums among other Gold and Silver blooms.
The lower section of the body of each vase with flush inlaid panels with stylised depictions of Paulownia. Also known as the Princess Tree, the Paulownia holds significant symbolism in Japan and is seen to represent royalty, good fortune and the Imperial family.
It is used in the crest of the Office of the Prime Minister and as the official Government Seal of Japan. It is also associated with female identity and there is a long-lasting tradition of planting a Paulownia tree to mark the birth of a baby girl. The vases finish with an elegant Shibuichi foot with a multi-metal floral design.
Undoubtably though, the most striking aspect of this stunning example of Meiji-era creativity and craftsmanship is the captivating pair of Snakes that are wrapped around the neck of each vase.
The Serpents seem locked in an eternal stand-off as they stare at each other with fangs bared. Those brave enough to get within striking distance are rewarded to see minutely rendered mouths each with a tiny flickering tongue.
Each scale of their skin is individually detailed with Silver and Gold patination, giving an unnervingly, almost lifelike finish.
The Snakes do not appear to be soldered to the metal, meaning they are held in place purely by being coiled around the neck of the vase. A fact that means that we wouldn’t be surprised to open the cabinet one day to find that they have unravelled themselves and slithered off somewhere.
You can read our blog about the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake by clicking on the below image or by Clicking Here.
About the Ozeki Company:
Although these vases are not actually signed by the artists themselves, they do bear the mark of the now, world famous Ozeki Company.
The company was operated by Ozeki Sadajiro and his father Ozeku Yahei and has become one of the most iconic names in the manufacture and sale of fine quality Japanese works of art during the Meiji-era, (1868-1912).
The Yokohama branch of the company was opened in the late 1850s and by the 1870s the Ozeki Company was exhibiting commissioned works of art at the inaugural National Industrial Exposition along with other International exhibitions in Europe and North America.
By the 1880s, the company had expanded considerably and was dealing in fine enamel works, Bronzes, Okimono lacquer work and ceramics.
A detail on a fine Silver and multi-metal vase signed Kazuhisa for the Ozeki Company
The Ozeki Company had earned a reputation for seeking out many of the finest artists of the Meiji-era and in many cases, the identity of the actual artists were deliberately concealed in order to emphasise and enhance the Ozeki Corporate brand.
There is a good chance that the metal and enamel workers that made these vases would previously have been specialists in the manufacture of sword fittings and armoury for the Samurai. Like many crafts people of the time, they had to adapt to new styles and products after the prohibition of the wearing of Swords in public in 1876.
An exceptional vase signed Toshiyuki for the Ozeki Company and depicting the fabled Three Monkeys
It is also possible that these vases were made to be displayed at one of the Great Expositions at the end of the 19th Century although pieces made for exhibition were often larger in size so that they would attract admirers from afar.
This pair are a real treasure and warrant close examination in minute detail, so it is more likely that they were a special private commission or were given as a gift to someone of great importance.
Click on the video below to see a slide-show of photographs of these wonderful vases:
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