Anonymous

Donated in 2014 by the Khalili Family Trust, at the initiative of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Professor Nasser David Khalili, this pair of large Meiji-era Japanese bronze vases in high relief present bodies and necks of concave form ending with petal-shaped lips. Elements in relief include birds, some with wings outstretched, perching on thick branches, as well as foliage covering most of the feet and the branches.

These pieces, previously part of the Vanderbilt estate, are truly rare examples of Japanese metalwork. Usually reserved for Imperial commissions and world expositions, bronze pieces of this magnitude rarely ever appeared in the form of vases. Known, and costly for the sheer amount of material and work, as usually being made into large koros (incense burners) and decorative sculptures, is it very unusual for a workshop to choose the vase form. The high relief and detail on these vases add to the artistic value of this complex and unusual work.

The Khalili Family Trust donation also includes a pair of Meiji-era cloisonné enamel vases.