A Japanese cloisonné casket, £7000 at Andrew Smith.
Much of the firm’s success was based on the technical innovations introduced by the master Kawade Shibataro (1856-c.1921), one of the four great masters of Japanese cloisonné along with Namikawa Yasuyuki, Namikawa Sosuke and Hayashi Kodenji.
Kewade’s most important contribution to this golden age of Meiji cloisonné was moriage (piling-up). This painstaking technique, involving the building up layers of enamel to produce a three-dimensional effect, can be seen to good effect on this box that was offered for sale at Andrew Smith & Son (21% buyer’s premium) in Alresford, Winchester, on December 15.
Sold in its original silk-lined box with the maker’s label, it was estimated at £250-300 but sold at £7000.
