Pair of magnificent vases in baluster forms with stylized loop handles, of hammered, assembled and carved shakudo richly ornamented in gold, silver, shakudo, shibuichi and red bronze with designs of birds among magnolia, plum blossoms and bamboo. Signed on the side with a chiseled inscription: Dai Nihon Teikoku Hitachi No Kuni Mito Ju, Homonsho Hi, Nana Ju Kyu Okina, Hagiya Katsuhira Kin Koku or In Mito, the Province of Hitachi of the Great Imperial Japan, (these were) Carefully Carved by Hagiya Katsuhira, An Old Man of 79 Years of Age, and Awarded the Homonsho Imperial Prize. The vases are then inscribed on the reverse: Meiji Ju Go Nen, Ju Ichigatsu Seisaku or Completed in November of 1882.

Hagiya Katsuhira (1804 – 1886) was born in Mito, and used the go or art name Seiryoken. He became the greatest Mito metal artist of his generation. The second son of Teramon Yoshige, he began working for the Mito Daimyo in 1844. During his career he trained many of the most important of the late 19th and early 20th century masters, including Unno Shomin and Kano Natsuo.

This pair of magnificent vases represents a pinnacle of Early Meiji Era metalwork. The use of difficult techniques and precious materials, the hammering of shakudo as a base material along with the extravagant use of relief inlay in solid gold and other costly alloys, the carving and exquisitely fine ishime texturing represent an unparalleled masterpiece which took this major artist years to complete.

Together with the original rosewood stands carved with key-fret, chrysanthemum and pierce-work floral decorations, and the original fitted rosewood box. On the reverse of the box lid is inlaid a paulownia wood panel with an inscription by Unno Kiyoshi, the son of Unno Shomin (who was Hagiya Katsuhira’s top student). Kiyoshi describes the design and technique of the pieces and the fact they were awarded the prestigious Homonsho Prize. He further states that Katsuhira was the most important of the Mito metalworkers creating masterpieces during the mid to late 19th century, and these vases were considered to be his ultimate masterwork.

The body of the vases formed from three sections of hammered and assembled shakudo. The upper section carved with deep relief stylized flower and tendril designs, the central section extensively inlaid in high relief mixed metals with fine chiseling decoration, and the foot carved with deep relief stylized dragon designs. The background of the upper and central sections is superbly ornamented in the stippled ishime texturing technique. The handles of shibuichi in the form of shishi or lion dogs with details finely engraved and the eyes inlaid in gold.