Articles
Pair of small Japanese baluster-shaped vases, in Shibuichi* bronze enhanced with gilding, decorated with birds twirling among flowers (peonies, etc.) and foliage, from Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century.
These vases are in good general condition.
Please note: one vase is slightly damaged at the back (see rough arrow), scratches and wear from time, see photos.
A historically Japanese copper alloy belonging to the irogane family. It is patinated in a range of subtle grays and muted shades of blue, green, and brown using the niiro process, which uses the rokusho compound. Shibuichi means "one-quarter" in Japanese and refers to the standard formula of one part silver to three parts copper, although this can vary considerably depending on the desired effect. If the silver content is around 40%, it is called shiro shibuichi ("white"). There is also kuro shibuichi ("black"), made from the alloys shakudo and shibuichi. The shibuichi content of this alloy is usually 20-40%.
