As the number of Japanese cloisonne objects covered by this website grows there are more and more ‘collections’. That is, objects that appear to come from a common workshop. This lovely small vase is the fifth object that falls into a collection called here “spiral necklaces and linked tears’. The interesting thing is that it appears that this may be a comparatively late version where the “spiral necklace” is no longer to be seen.
ref 68.1 
ref 68.2
Here are three of the roundels from this vase. In each case the perimeter has the distinctive “linked tears’ pattern described on the other objects associated with this collection (objects 12, 42, 43, 64). Note that there are also other roundels on this vase which do not have this pattern. Most of the objects in this collection also mix ‘linked tear’ roundels with another type.
ref 68.3 linked tear roundel 
ref 68.4 linked tear roundel 
ref 68.5 linked tear roundel
Below is a look back at a couple of the earlier objects in this collection that had the “spiral necklace” feature. It is easy to see why this might have started to look a little old fashioned, and so have been designed out.
object 12 – spiral necklace feature 
object 42 – spiral necklace feature
There are two other strong design features in this collection. The first is the patchwork of colourful “oval squares” seen running down the slender neck and also elsewhere on this vase. This pattern is an interesting echo of the single “oval square” pattern seen on early Kinkozan Sobei vases (e.g. object 52).
object 12 ‘oval square’ patchwork 
object 42 ‘oval square’ patchwork 
object 64 ‘oval square’ patchwork 
object 68 ‘oval square’ patchwork
The second distinctive feature is the selection of “bold chrysanthemums” which always seem to appear half hidden behind another part of the design. They are very simple but offer a very attractive and distinctive feature.
object 12 ‘bold chrysanthemum’ 
object 42 ‘bold chrysanthemum’ 
object 64 ‘bold chrysanthemum’ 
object 68 ‘bold chrysanthemum’
In short, every available area of the vase is covered with an attractive design, and the effect is pleasing on the eye. This looks like a design that would have sold well, not least in the overseas market.
NB See the index for links to more ‘collections’ identified on this website.
Object 68. Vase height 15.3 cm weight 132 gm.
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