Japanese Vase with Butterfly and Floral Motifs

Wired flowers float in green teardrop panels on a nearly black vase.

This brass, cloisonne and enamel vase with butterfly and floral motifs is from Japan, and dates to the early 20th century. Japanese cloisonne developed rapidly in the nineteenth century, and its makers favored natural subjects such as flowers, birds and butterflies. Slim baluster vase with a narrow flared lip, covered in dark ground and fine metal wire cells. Large green leaf-shaped panels hold pink, blue and white blossoms, with smaller flowers scattered around and a green border below. It is 7.25 inches high and 3.1 in diameter.

Black tie, bright garden, and very fine wire.