Pair of magnificent Imperial Presentation vases in baluster form ornamented with a design of carp leaping out of waves into clouds, of cloisonné enamels executed in gold and silver wire, in moriage relief as well as musen wireless and shosen reduced wire techniques, the rims of applied silver. Signed on the reverse with an inlaid silver wire signature by the artist: Ando Kinsei or Finely Made by Ando, and with the Ando mark (Ando Jubei, active Late 19th – early 20th Century). With the original fitted rosewood stands.

Late Meiji – Taisho era, circa 1910 – 1914.

With the tomobako or original fitted presentation boxes, inscribed on the exterior of each of the lids: Moriage Kinsen Shippo Seiryu Yuri No Zu Kabin or Relief Gold Wire Cloisonné Vase (With a) Design of Pure Stream Playing Dragon Gate Carp, and on the reverse of the lid: On Sage Tamau, Isho Koi Ga Ryu Mon No Kyuryu Wo Nobotte Ryu To Naru Koji, Taisho Shoki or Presented (by the Emperor), a Pair (of Vases) (With a) Design of Carp Becoming Dragons by Climbing Rapid Water, Early Taisho Era, and then signed: Jubei Saku or Made by Jubei, and sealed: Ando Kinsei or Finely Made by Ando.

The paper label affixed to the reverse of each rosewood stand is printed in English: J. Ando, Cloisonné Ware, Tokyo-Nagoya, Japan, and with the Ando mark in red. It is printed in Japanese: Kunaisho Goyotashi or Purveyors to the Imperial Household Agency, and Nagoya Ando Shippoten or Nagoya Ando Cloisonné Company.

Spectacular in both design and execution, these vases represent the highest quality cloisonné enamels ever produced. Ando Jubei lavished gold wire extensively on the carp, delicately shading the water, clouds and fish. Gold powder melted in the glass enamels details the carp in a beautiful, difficult and unprecedented technique. The low moriage relief in the execution of the fish plays against the high relief of the splashing white waves and the flat enamels of the gold clouds and green waves to imbue the design with depth and movement. Illustrating a famous Chinese story that was associated with the achievement and transformation of young scholars passing their formal examinations to become literati officials in China, the imagery of these vases echoed for the Japanese with symbolism of boys overcoming adversity by hard work and talent to become strong virtuous men. The subject matter and extreme technical virtuosity suggest that Ando created these masterpieces as Imperial Presentation Gifts for an important occasion in the life of a young Imperial Prince.