IDENTIFY [[]] CLOISONNE

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SELECTION OF DOCUMENTED JAPANESE CLOISONNE MARKS

     This page will attempt to document Japanese cloisonne marks with a few published reference books as sources: 'Japanese Cloisonne' by Coben & Ferster, published by Weatherhill in 1982 and 1991,  'Japanese Cloisonne' by Gregory Irvine, published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2006, Gary Yoshino's 'Japanese Cloisonne Enamels', privately published in 2007, and the latest large hardcover in-depth publication 'The Art of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel' by Fredric T. Schneider, published by McFarland & Company in 2010. Only 5 % of Japanese cloisonne items are marked, and out of these 5% not all marks have been identified.

     Coben & Ferster's book started as a Master's thesis for Dorothy C. Ferster. The siblings travelled to Japan many times, and conducted extensive research while there, as well as visit many museums and galleries worldwide. They discussed Japanese cloisonne pieces and collections with the descendants of some of the more famous Japanese master craftmen, such as Hayashi Kodenji and Ando Jubei. They were able to assemble first hand knowledge about Japanese cloisonne marks, that was not available before their book's first publication in 1982. In spite of this newly found information, they were assiduous in their attributions, and only published the marks of craftsmen they had confirmed, by a second unimpeachable source. Because of this, I chose them as my primary source.

     Gregory Irvine is the senior curator in the Victoria and Albert Museum's Asian Department in London England, he specializes in Japanese metalwork. His smaller book is mostly based on a catalogue of the Edwin Davies cloisonne collection, with a first chapter discussing the history and the technique of Japanese cloisonne, using the museum collection. Mr. Irvine included images of the marks with the catalogued items, a very useful approach when identifying Japanese cloisonne. One that I also believe in and promote on this page.

     Gary Yoshino is a USA cloisonne collector and accredited financial consultant of Japanese descent, based in California. Early on, he focused on signed Japanese cloisonne pieces for his collection, and made a great effort to identify these pieces. He had the advantage of understanding Japanese Kanji script and symbols, and combined his findings with the knowledge of other Japanese Kanji experts, as well as previous publication's information. His book contains the most comprehensive list so far. Many of his mark identifications have not been verified and are strictly based on the Japanese Kanji phonetic translation, which can vary slightly depending on the context and reader. There were hundreds of Japanese cloisonne enamelers during the period of 1850 to 1975, the Coben book list 239 by name. As you can imagine, we are not even close to identifying them all.

Mr. Schneider's book adds more identified marks to what we had documented so far, and mostly agrees with previous information. He is an American scholar with degrees from Yale University.

     The original center for cloisonne production in Japan was Nagoya. A nearby village called Toshima, became known as Shippo-Mura (the cloisonne village), the initiator there was Hayashi Shogoro, in 1856, an early student of Kaji Tsunekichi (1808-1883) and instructor to Hayashi Kodenji. In the following decades, several cloisonne master-craftsmen had their workshops or studios located in or near the city of Nagoya: Hattori Tadasaburo, Ota Tameshiro, Hayashi Kodenji and Ando Jubei. 

     Namikawa Yasuyuki, a high status samurai, studied the art of cloisonne in Nagoya, then established his own studio and workshop in Kyoto. He instructed Inaba Nanaho (or Shichiho), a textile engineer, who moved on to create his own cloisonne in a Kyoto workshop in 1888, calling it the Inaba Cloisonne Company. When Japanese cloisonne became a sought-after collectible by the upper class Europeans, Ando Jubei opened a shop in the Ginza district of Tokyo, in 1887, while keeping his workshop in Nagoya.

     Namikawa Sosuke, a businessman, had no training in the art of cloisonne, he bought the Nagoya Cloisonne Company who had a branch in Tokyo, moved the whole operation there, and hired the most experienced and talented craftsmen he could find.

     During this golden era of Japanese cloisonne: 5 workshops-studios and their master craftsmen were HIGHLY valued and recognized, they had the honor of being the official purveyors to the Meiji imperial palaces and their court gentry.

     They were:

  • NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI
  • NAMIKAWA SOSUKE
  • ANDO JUBEI
  • HAYASHI KODENJI
  • HATTORI TADASABURO

The site analysis shows that this page is the most popular by far. I plan to publish an Ebook with appropriate software, containing the information here, designed for an easy read and view on your hand held readers. This is a 2011 project that will be available for sale by next fall.


Alphabetical order, with identical family name pieces grouped together, in the Japanese manner with family name first, then given name. 
Some biographical information added if available.
Click on images for a link to the largest format.
MISCELLANEOUS contains single identified items. 
UNKNOWN contain pieces that still need to be identified.
Click on images for the largest version available.

AKAGI

Japanese Export Company Post WWII in production 1945-50

Modern Post 1950 Vase
marks/signedyellowvase3.jpg
AKAGI SHOTEN Exporters

Modern Post 1950 Vase
taggedMarks/signedyellowvase2.jpg
AKAGI SHOTEN Exporters

Similar Motif Floral Vase
marks/upsignedyellowvase1.jpg
Signed AKAGI SHOTEN

Similar Motif Floral Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedyellowvase2.jpg
Signed AKAGI SHOTEN

Modern Cloisonne Vase
marks/diamondsignedbluevase1.jpg
AKAGI SHOTEN EXPORTERS

Modern Cloisonne Vase
taggedMarks/diamondsignedbluevase1.jpg
AKAGI SHOTEN EXPORTERS

 

ANDO

Master craftsman, Ando Jubei established his shop in Nagoya in 1881. Instrumental in several cloisonne innovations such as: clear enamel over repousse base, and opaque cloisonne moriage enamel motifs over opaque base, as well as plique-a-jour inspired by a French artist. His chief foremen for workshop production were Kaji Sataro, grandson of Tsunekichi from 1881 to 1897, and in 1897 Kawade Shibataro (1856-1921?), who was innovative and highly skilled. His mark is a gourd inside the ANDO 4 petal round mon or 'maltese cross'. Still in operation today, the longest lasting of all the Japanese cloisonne companies.

Koi Fish Wireless Ground Vase
marks/andovasekoi2.jpg
Signed ANDO In Wire

Koi Fish Wireless Ground Vase
taggedMarks/andovasekoi1.jpg
Signed ANDO In Wire

EARLY ANDO CLOISONNE
marks/andovasespair3.jpg
1900 QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

EARLY ANDO CLOISONNE
marks/andovasespair3.jpg
1900 QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

EARLY ANDO CLOISONNE
taggedMarks/andovasespair1.jpg
1900 QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

Akasuke Ball Vase Flying Cranes
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed ANDO Mark

Akasuke Ball Vase Flying Cranes
taggedMarks/cranevaseando3.jpg
Signed ANDO Mark

Akasuke Ball Vase Flying Cranes
taggedMarks/cranevaseando2.jpg
Silver Rim Marked

ANDO Commission
marks/kikunomonandopair.jpg
Imperial Mon Vases
Rare Pink Wireless Censer
marks/inabapinkcenser1.jpg
Kanji Signed ANDO Made

Rare Pink Wireless Censer
taggedMarks/returninginabapinkcenser3.jpg
Kanji Signed ANDO Made

Rare Pink Wireless Censer
marks/unknownboxmark2.jpg
Kanji Signed ANDO Made

Ando Vase Modern
marks/andovase1.jpg
Mid-20th Century

Ando Vase Modern
marks/andovase2.jpg
Mid-20th Century

Ando Vase Modern
marks/andovase3.jpg
Mid-20th Century

Wireless Ando Vase
marks/uprecentandovase2.jpg
Signed & Boxed

Wireless Ando Vase
taggedMarks/recentandovase1.jpg
Signed & Boxed

Small Scholar's Box
study-images/upandolifttopbox2.jpg
Signed ANDO 1900

Small Scholar's Box
study-images/upandolifttopbox1.jpg
Signed Ando

Ando Cobalt Blue Vase
marks/andonavyvase2.jpg
Signed 1920s

Ando Cobalt Blue Vase
taggedMarks/andonavyvase1.jpg
1920s

Presentation Vase & Box
marks/presentationandovase2700price1.jpg
Signed ANDO

Presentation Vase & Box
taggedMarks/presentationandovase2400pricebox3.jpg
Signed ANDO

Presentation Vase & Box
taggedMarks/presentationandovase2400priceboxdetails1.jpg
Both Signed Ando

ANDO MARKED VASE
japan1900to1920/andomarkvase2.jpg
OLDER SILVER CLOISONNE MARK 1930

ANDO MARKED VASES
taggedMarks/uptgandomarkfile.jpg
1920-30

Modern Monochrome Vase
marks/unknownboxmark2.jpg
Signed ANDO

Modern Monochrome Vase
taggedMarks/andotaishobluevase3.jpg
Signed ANDO

Modern Monochrome Vase
taggedMarks/andotaishobluevase2.jpg
Pure Silver Rim Mark ANDO

Modern Smoking Set
study-images/upandostudybox1.jpg
ANDO Label for GUMPS

Modern Smoking Set
taggedMarks/fxrecentandolabelset4.jpg
ANDO Label for GUMPS

Modern Smoking Set
study-images/upandostudybox1.jpg
ANDO Label for GUMPS

GONDA

1865-1937

Gonda Signed Vase
taggedMarks/gondasignedfugivase2.jpg
Meiji Late Period

Gonda Signed Vase
marks/gondasignedfugivase2.jpg
Meiji Late Period

GONDA HIROSUKE GOURD VASE
marks/gondabrownvase2.jpg
CIRCA 1890

GONDA HIROSUKE GOURD VASE
taggedMarks/gondabrownvase1.jpg
CIRCA 1890

Moriage Fish Bowl Planter
marks/upgondasignedmoriagefishbowl1.jpg
Signed GONDA In Enamel

Moriage Fish Bowl Planter
taggedMarks/gondasignedmoriagefishbowl8.jpg
Signed GONDA In Enamel

HAYASHI

Hayashi Kodenji, lifespan 1831-1915, student of Tsukamoto Kaisuke (1828-1887), who was intructed by Hayashi Shogoro, a Kaji student. First cloisonne produced in 1863, in Nagoya area. He walked to the port of Yokohama to sell his wares. Following in his footsteps, his son Hayashi Kodenji II(1859-1922), and his son Hayashi Kodenji III (1879-1944), with Hayashi Kodenji IV, born 1903, an important contributor to the Coben & Ferster book, at age 75. He generously provided familial knowledge, experience and his personal cloisonne collection for review. Other Yayashi craftsmen listed here may be related or not, I have no detailed information about them.

Magnificent Pair Feather Vases
marks/yamamotovase2.jpg
Signed HAYASHI TANIGORO

Magnificent Pair Feather Vases
taggedMarks/hayashitanigoropairvases1.jpg
Signed HAYASHI TANIGORO

HAYASHI KODENJI GINBARI VASE
marks/signedbluevase3.jpg
CIRCA 1910

HAYASHI KODENJI GINBARI VASE
taggedMarks/signedbluevase1.jpg
CIRCA 1910

Large Black Floral Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedpanelvase2.jpg
HAYASHI YOJIRO

Large Black Floral Vase
marks/UPnewmarkblackvase2.jpg
HAYASHI YOJIRO

Pair Deep Blue Floral Vases
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed HAYASHI (Kodenji)

Pair Deep Blue Floral Vases
taggedMarks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase1.jpg
Signed HAYASHI (Kodenji)

Bright Meiji Ginbari Vase
marks/fxunknownsignedginvase2-2.jpg
HAYASHI KIHYOE CLAN C1910

Bright Meiji Ginbari Vase
taggedMarks/fxsignedsilverwirevase1.jpg
HAYASHI KIHYOE CLAN C1910

Black Dragon Ginbari Vase
marks/upsignedpanelvase1.jpg
Hayashi Hachizaemon

Black Dragon Ginbari Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedpanelvase2.jpg
Hayashi Hachizaemon signed

PRETTY MEIJI VASE
marks/mysterysignedvase3.jpg
HAYASHI, CHUZO C1900

PRETTY MEIJI VASE
taggedMarks/mysterysignedvase1.jpg
HAYASHI, CHUZO C1900

Gorgeous Green Figural Box
marks/upfantasticgreengodbox8.jpg
Hayashi Tanigoro 1910

Gorgeous Green Figural Box
taggedMarks/upfantasticgreengodbox4.jpg
Hayashi Tanigoro 1910

Beautiful LARGE Floral Vase
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed HAYASHI KODENJI

Beautiful LARGE Floral Vase
taggedMarks/hayashikodenjimark16coben2.jpg
Signed HAYASHI KODENJI

Silver Rim Blue Bird Vase
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed HAYASHI KODENJI

Silver Rim Blue Bird Vase
taggedMarks/diamondhayashivase1.jpg
Signed HAYASHI KODENJI

Rare Massive Meiji Tray
marks/upmassivehayashikocharger87cmsigned.jpg
Signed Hayashi Kodenji

Rare Massive Meiji Tray
taggedMarks/massivehayashikocharger87cmsigned2.jpg
Signed Hayashi Kodenji

Wireless Fall Color Vase
marks/upsignedpanelvase1.jpg
HAYASHI, KANAME C1950

Wireless Fall Color Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedpanelvase2.jpg
HAYASHI, KANAME C1950

INABA

Workshop established mid-Meiji period by Inaba Nanaho (or Shichiho) a textile engineer, in 1887 in Kyoto, called 'The Inaba Cloisonne Company'. Apprentice to  Namikawa Y. and known to the Namikawa's of Tokyo. Succeeded by his son of the same name, then succeded by Inaba Katsumi during the 20th century. This company was not in the league of the top earlier companies, did not win prizes, Imperial patronage, or was recognized as a producer of high quality cloisonne pieces. They excelled in making fine export items for the West and ensured their longevity in this way. The company closed it's doors in the late 1980s, making it the 2nd longest lasting cloisonne enterprise after Ando. They created colorful and dense floral cloisonne motifs on white ground, and elaborate cloisonne scenes with peacocks and foliage. Boxes, vases, dishes, plates and table screens were typical items, with some commissioned utilitarian items bearing the owners initials such as ashtrays, coasters etc.

INABA SIGNED CLOISONNE BOX
marks/inabasignedbox3.jpg
Late 20TH CENTURY

INABA SIGNED CLOISONNE BOX
taggedMarks/UPinabarecentbox2.jpg
EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Traditional Black Floral Plate
taggedMarks/UPinabaplatesigned5.jpg
Signed Inaba Circle Mark

Traditional Black Floral Plate
marks/UPinabaplatesigned5.jpg
Signed Inaba Circle Mark

Akasuke Translucent Floral Vase
marks/upakasukefloralvasesigned2.jpg
Presentation Signed INABA?

Akasuke Translucent Floral Vase
taggedMarks/upreturningmark1.jpg
Presentation Signed INABA?

Superb Silver Rim Censer
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
INABA C1910

Superb Silver Rim Censer
taggedMarks/censerhayashisilverbodysigned3.jpg
INABA C1910

INABA FLORAL CLOISONNE COASTER
taggedMarks/inabasignedcoaster1.jpg
LATER PRODUCT 1930 - NICKEL BASE

INABA FLORAL CLOISONNE COASTER
marks/inabasignedcoaster2.jpg
LATER PRODUCT 1930 - NICKEL BASE

Post 1960 INABA Blue Box
taggedMarks/inaba50sbox5.jpg
Signed Inaba Base & Interior

Post 1960 INABA Blue Box
taggedMarks/inaba50sbox4.jpg
Signed Inaba Base & Interior

Post 1960 INABA Blue Box
study-images/upinaba50sbox5.jpg
Signed Inaba Base & Interior

White Multi Floral Music Box
study-images/upwhiteINABAmusicboxsigned8.jpg
Signed INABA On Base

White Multi Floral Music Box
study-images/upwhiteINABAmusicboxsigned8.jpg
Signed INABA On Base

Traditional Temple Container
taggedMarks/inabachalice3.jpg
Signed INABA 1970s

Traditional Temple Container
marks/upinabachalice1.jpg
Signed INABA

Floral Lid Box 1946-52
study-images/upcposignedinababox1.jpg
INABA Signed CPO

Floral Lid Box 1946-52
study-images/upcposignedinababox1.jpg
INABA Signed CPO

Floral Lid Box 1946-52
taggedMarks/cposignedinababox1.jpg
INABA Signed CPO (Central Purchasing Office)

Sage Green Column Vase
marks/uplargeinabavasesigned1.jpg
Signed INABA Mark

Rare Meiji Crane Vase
taggedMarks/cranegreenvasesigned3.jpg
Signed Early INABA

Rare Meiji Crane Vase
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed Early INABA

Rare Meiji Crane Vase
marks/hayashisignedpitchforkvase3.jpg
Signed Early INABA

Recent Inaba Box
marks/UPinabarecentbox1.jpg
Black Base

Recent Blue Inaba Box
textures/UPinabarecentbox4.jpg
Inside Box Mark Inaba

Recent Inaba Box
taggedMarks/UPinabarecentbox2.jpg
Inside Box Mark Inaba

Sage Green Column Vase
taggedMarks/UPinabasignedtopvase2.jpg
Signed INABA Mark

Four Sided Pictorial Vase
marks/upinabasilvervase2.jpg
Signed INABA

KUMENO TEITARO

1865-1939 Nagoya

TEITARO GINBARI GEISHA VASE
marks/teitarosignedvase2.jpg
CIRCA 1915-20

TEITARO GINBARI GEISHA VASE
taggedMarks/teitarosignedvase1.jpg
CIRCA 1915-20

Pretty Floral Ginbari Vase
taggedMarks/upkumenoteirarovase2.jpg
Signed Kumeno Teitaro

Fine Koi Tsuiki Vase
marks/upkumenoteitarofishvase2.jpg
Meiji Kumeno Teitaro

Fine Koi Tsuiki Vase
taggedMarks/upkumenoteitarofishvase1.jpg
Meiji Kumeno Teitaro

Tsuiki Koi Waterfall Vase
taggedMarks/UPsignedwaterfalltsuikivase1.jpg
Signed KUMENO Teitaro

Tsuiki Koi Waterfall Vase
marks/upsignedwaterfalltsuikivase2.jpg
Signed KUMENO Teitaro

TEITARO AKASUKE ENAMEL VASE
marks/teirarosignedakasukevase2.jpg
CIRCA 1900

TEITARO AKASUKE ENAMEL VASE
taggedMarks/teirarosignedakasukevase1.jpg
CIRCA 1900

Pretty Floral Ginbari Vase
marks/upkumenoteirarovase1.jpg
Signed Kumeno Teitaro

Exotic Meiji Egret Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedegretvase4.jpg
Kumeno in Gourd Reserve

Exotic Meiji Egret Vase
marks/upsignedegretvase4.jpg
Kumeno in Gourd Reserve

Squat Akasuke Meiji Vase
marks/upakasukesigned1.jpg
Signed Kumeno Teitaro

Squat Akasuke Meiji Vase
taggedMarks/akasukesignedvase2.jpg
Signed Kumeno Teitaro

MING, FUKU Etc.

Chinese archaic marks and symbols, used by early Japanese cloisonne craftsmen, pieces usually heavily influenced by Chinese designs. Used 1860-1890.

MING INFLUENCED EARLY JAPAN
marks/fixedmingmarkjapanbowl1-3.jpg
1880 MAT ENAMEL CLOISONNE

MING INFLUENCED EARLY JAPAN
taggedMarks/mingmarkjapanbowl3.jpg
1880 MAT ENAMEL CLOISONNE

Pair Early Japanese Jars
study-images/uppairjapanmingmarkjars1.jpg
Archaic Base Ming Mark

Early Floral Blue or Orange Vase
taggedMarks/upcommonearlyfloralvase2.jpg
Signed 'Great Ming' 1890

Early Floral Blue or Orange Vase
marks/upcommonearlyfloralvase1.jpg
Signed 'Great Ming' 1890

Small Chinese Dragon Vase
taggedMarks/earlyjapanvasesignedming.jpg
Meiji Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark

Early Mat Enamel Vase
marks/upfukudiamondvasesigned3.jpg
Signed FUKU

Pheasant On a Rock Motif
marks/upfakemingpheasantjar2.jpg
Meiji 1890 Signed MING
Pheasant On A Rock Motif
taggedMarks/upfakemingpheasantjar1.jpg
Meiji Signed MING

Rare White Enamel Vase
study-images/upquestionurn10.jpg
Elaborate FUKU Mark

Rare White Enamel Vase
taggedMarks/upquestionurn3.jpg
Elaborate FUKU Mark

Rare Early Figural Vase
taggedMarks/upsmallmingsignedvase1.jpg
'Great Ming' Mark

Rare Figural Early Vase
study-images/upsmallmingsignedvase2.jpg
'Great Ming' Mark

Round Kyoto Dragon Box
marks/upearlyjapboxfuku1.jpg
Signed FUKU

Round Dragon Box
taggedMarks/upearlyjapboxfuku2.jpg
Signed FUKU

Small Chinese Dragon Vase
study-images/upearlyjapanvasesignedming2.jpg
Meiji Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark

Early Mat Enamel Vase
taggedMarks/UPfukudiamondvasesigned1.jpg
Signed FUKU

Large Dragon Vase
marks/upfakeminglargedragonvase1.jpg
Meiji 1890 Ming Signed
Large Dragon Vase
taggedMarks/upfakeminglargedragonvase3.jpg
Meiji 1890 Signed Ming

Japan Bowl Early Ho Birds
japan1850to1900/fxfinemingmarkjapanbowl1.jpg
Signed GREAT MING

Japan Bowl Early Ho Birds
taggedMarks/finemingmarkjapanbowl3.jpg
Signed GREAT MING

White Early FangHu Vase
marks/upfukucloisonnesquarevase3.jpg
FUKU Mark

White Early Fanghu Vase
taggedMarks/upfukucloisonnesquarevase1.jpg
FUKU Mark 1870

Busy Peacock Design Plate
marks/upmyhobirdplate3.jpg
Signed 'Great Ming"

Busy Peacock Plate
taggedMarks/myhobirdplate6.jpg
Signed 'Great Ming'

Orange Version Floral Vase
marks/upsignedmingorangevase1.jpg
Signed GREAT MING

Orange Version Floral Vase
taggedMarks/UPsignedmingorangevase2.jpg
Signed GREAT MING

Fancy Scholar's Desk Box
taggedMarks/uprarejapanfukubox3.jpg
1890 Meiji Signed FUKU
Fancy Scholar's Desk Box
marks/uprarejapanfukubox1.jpg
1890 Meiji Signed FUKU

Mixed Wire Footed Bowl
taggedMarks/upmycloisonnebowl.jpg
Signed FUKU

Mixed Wire Footed Bowl
study-images/upbowlfuku001.jpg
Signed FUKU

Chinese Style Bronze Dish
taggedMarks/returningrarecenser5.jpg
Mandarin Hat MING COPY

Chinese Style Bronze Dish
marks/yamamotovase2.jpg
Mandarin Hat MING COPY

Yellow Lotus Motif Jar
japan1850to1900/fukusignedjar1.jpg
1860 Japanese FUKU

signed Japanese jar
japan1850to1900/fukusignedjar1.jpg
note Chinese lotus form decorations

Rare Japan FUKU Bowl
taggedMarks/uprarejapanbowl2.jpg
Signed Elaborate Ming Mark

Rare Japan FUKU Bowl
marks/uprarejapanbowl1.jpg
Signed Elaborate Ming Mark

Reptile Handle Taoist Vase
WOWpieces/upelephanthandlevase4.jpg
Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark 1880

Reptile Handle Taoist Vase
taggedMarks/upelephanthandlevase13.jpg
Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark

Early Floral Censer
taggedMarks/fxmingsignedjar1.jpg
Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark

Early Floral Censer
marks/fxmingsignedjar2.jpg
Archaic 'Great Ming' Mark

High Chinese Influence Vase
marks/upmingsignedtrumpetvase1.jpg
Archaic Great Ming Mark

High Chinese Influence Vase
taggedMarks/upmingsignedtrumpetvase2.jpg
Archaic Great Ming Mark

NAMIKAWA SOSUKE

Lived from 1847 to 1910. A businessman and entrepreneur, involved in other types of exports, with no knowledge of cloisonne production, bought the Nagoya Cloisonne Company and re-established it in Tokyo in his name, where he had been hired to manage the Tokyo branch. His talented cloisonne master craftsmen, Tsukamoto Kaisuke and his two sons Jinkuse and Jinkuro accomplished his dream: wireless cloisonne 'musen-shippo' for floral, scenic or pictorial motifs on decorative cloisonne free standing objects, boxes, trays and vases. His designs and motifs  were heavily influenced by Japanese artists and painters of his era.

Many floral and bird paintings, ink studies and woodblock prints used were designed by Watanabe Seitei (or Shotei), see Watanabe's red and black enamel mark applied to the front, by the artwork. Other artists were Kano Tan'yu for his Mount Fugi series, and Araki Kamp.  Sosuke won many awards and was nationally and internationally recognized as one of the top innovative producers of Japanese cloisonne during the Meiji Golden era of 1880 to 1912. His studio closed after his death.

Tray Wireless Ground
marks/upseiteisignedtray.jpg
Namikawa Sosuke Studio
Tray Wireless Ground
marks/upseiteisignedtray.jpg
Namikawa Sosuke Studio

Sosuke Cockerel Tray
study-images/variationroostertraysigned.jpg
Marked WATANABE SEITEI

Sosuke Dove on Branch Tray
WOWpieces/UPpigeonsosuketray1.jpg
Marked WATANABE SEITEI

NAMIKAWA SOSUKE STUDIO
marks/boxnamikawas2.jpg
1900 MARK

NAMIKAWA SOSUKE STUDIO
taggedMarks/boxnamikawas2.jpg
BOX MARKED 1900

Sosuke Studio Tray
marks/upsosuketraywatanabesigned.jpg
Design Signed Seitei

NAMIKAWA SOSUKE STUDIO
taggedMarks/finesignedtray2.jpg
TRAY WITH 1900 MARK

NAMIKAWA SOSUKE STUDIO
marks/finesignedtray2.jpg
TRAY MARKED 1900

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI

Lifespan 1845-1927.Established in Kyoto 1872-1922; some of his cloisonne executed with silver wire on silver bodies. Invented the mirror black enamel background after 1875. Worked with Gottfried Von Wagner, a German Chemist hired by the Japanese government. Used traditional Japanese motifs and continued to improve on the quality and refinement of cloisonne craftsmanship. Was internationally recognized as a master. Won many National and International prizes.

USA ADVERTISEMENT
taggedMarks/advnamikawavase.jpg
CIRCA 1900

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI
marks/namikawasjarsigned2.jpg
JAR WITH BROCADE RIM 1890

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI
taggedMarks/namikawasjarsigned2.jpg
JAR WITH BROCADE RIM 1890

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI JAR
japan1850to1900/namikawasjarsigned1.jpg
INTRICATE DIAPER BROCADES

Top Quality Sterling Vase
marks/upsignedwisteriavase2.jpg
Kyoto Namikawa (Y.) Mark

Top Quality Sterling Vase
taggedMarks/upsignedwisteriavase1.jpg
Kyoto Namikawa (Y.) Mark

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI
taggedMarks/kyotonamikawabottles2.jpg
CIRCA 1880-1900

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI
marks/kyotonamikawabottles2.jpg
CIRCA 1880-1900

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI VASE
taggedMarks/namikawasvasesigned2.jpg
SOLID STERLING SILVER

NAMIKAWA YASUYUKI VASE
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SOLID STERLING SILVER

Fine Cobalt Blue Box
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Signed Kanji Kyoto Namikawa

Fine Cobalt Blue Box
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Signed Kanji Kyoto Namikawa

Subtle Wireless Blue Ground Vase
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Signed Namikawa Yasuyuki

Subtle Wireless Blue Ground Vase
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Signed Namikawa Yasuyuki

Brown Rouleau Vase
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Signed Kyoto Namikawa

Brown Rouleau Vase
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Signed Kyoto Namikawa

OTA

OTA JINNOEI GINBARI WIRELESS
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CIRCA 1910 VASE

OTA JINNOEI GINBARI WIRELESS
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CIRCA 1910 VASE

Signed OTA JINNOEI
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Late Meiji

Signed OTA JINNOEI
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Late Meiji

Four Panel Tsuiki Vase
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Meiji Signed OTA KICHI

Fine Bottle Vase Meiji Dragon
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Signed OTA, TOSHIRO

Fine Meiji Bottle Dragon Vase
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Signed OTA TOSHIRO

Meiji Ginbari Floral Vase
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Signed OTA HYOZO

Meiji Ginbari Floral Vase
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Signed OTA HYOZO

Four Panel Tsuiki Vase
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Meiji Signed OTA KICHI

SKILLED OTA DAISY VASE
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C1900 OTA,TOSHIRO

SKILLED OTA DAISY VASE
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C1900 OTA, TOSHIRO

Fine Quality Pair Ball Vases
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Signed OTA, HIROAKI

Fine Quality Pair Ball Vases
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OTA, HIROAKI

PAIR SUPERB MEIJI VASES
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SIGNED OTA, TOSHIRO

PAIR SUPERB MEIJI VASES
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SIGNED OTA, TOSHIRO

OTA Ginbari Style Vase
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C1910 OTA, TOSHIRO

OTA Ginbari Style Vase
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C1910 OTA, TOSHIRO

Small Ginbari Meiji Vase
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Signed OTA, TOSHIRO

Small Ginbari Meiji Vase
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Signed OTA, TOSHIRO

MODERN JAPAN VASE
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OTA, HIRO-SHI (made by HIRO)

MODERN JAPAN VASE
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OTA, HIRO-SHI (made by HIRO)

SATO

produced 1945-present

GREEN SATO VASES
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1950-60S MASS PRODUCED

GREEN SATO VASES
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1950-60S MASS PRODUCED

FINE Midnight ENAMEL VASES
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SATO SEI C1900

SATO BAMBOO CLOISONNE VASE
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MID-20TH CENTURY OR LATER

SATO BAMBOO CLOISONNE VASE
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MID-20TH CENTURY OR LATER

FINE Midnight ENAMEL VASES
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SATO SEI C1900

SATO Cloisonne
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Signed Vase

SATO Cloisonne
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Signed Vase

Traditional 4 Crest Vase
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SATO Marked Modern

Traditional 4 Crest Vase
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SATO Signed Modern

TAMURA

represents cloisonne from 4 generations, spanning 1864-1990

TAMURA FLORAL CLOISONNE
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1930-50 NICKEL RIMS

TAMURA FLORAL CLOISONNE
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1930-50 NICKEL RIMS

Old Tamura Signed Vases
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Circa 1910

Old Tamura Signed Vases
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Circa 1910

TAMURA FLORAL Vase
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Signed Modern 1950+

TAMURA FLORAL Vase
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Signed Modern 1950+

Fine Wisteria Vase
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Signed Tamura Yukio

Fine Wisteria Vase
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Signed Tamura Yukio

MISCELLANEOUS

Early Ho Bird Vase
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Signed MIYAZAKI SHOTEN
Early Ho Bird Vase
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Signed MIYAZAKI SHOTEN

HATTORI TADASABURO C1900
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SKILLED MORIAGE SILVER VASE

HATTORI TADASABURO C1900
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SKILLED MORIAGE SILVER VASE

Beautiful Quality Ginbari
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Possibly Yamanaka Co.

Beautiful Quality Ginbari
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Possibly Yamanaka Co.

Akasuke Red Floral Vase
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Signed YAMAMOTO Modern

Akasuke Red Floral Vase
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Signed YAMAMOTO Modern

Elaborate Scenic Tray
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Signed Kawaguchi Bunzaemon

Elaborate Scenic Tray
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Signed Kawaguchi Bunzaemon

Meiji Egret Ginbari Vase
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TSUNEKAWA, TAIICHIRO C1903

Meiji Egret Ginbari vase c1903
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TSUNEKAWA TAIICHIRO

Striking Yellow Peacock Vase
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Signed SHOBIDO Co.

Black Floral Quality Vase
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Signed ITO SOEMON

Delicate Shaded Wireless Ground
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Temple Bell - MOKUGYO

Delicate Shaded Wireless Ground
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Temple Bell - MOKUGYO

BEAUTIFUL WHITE FLORAL TSUIKI
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C1905 KAWAGUCHI BUNZAEMON

BEAUTIFUL WHITE FLORAL TSUIKI
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C1905 KAWAGUCHI BUNZAEMON

Translucent Ginbari Floral Vase
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Signed Tsukamoto Hikokichi

Translucent Ginbari Floral Vase
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Signed Tsukamoto Hikokichi

Large Grape Ginbari Vase
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HONDA YOSABURO

Large Grape Ginbari Vase
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HONDA YOSABURO

Large Grape Ginbari Vase
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HONDA YOSABURO

Small Floral Ginbari Vase
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C1900 ADACHI KINJIRO

Small Floral Ginbari Vase
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C1900 ADACHI KINJIRO

Fine Pair Bird Vases
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Unverified Kyodai Mark

Fine Pair Bird Vases
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Unverified Kyodai Mark

Striking Yellow Peacock Vase
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Signed SHOBIDO Co.

Black Floral Quality Vase
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Signed ITO SOMEON

Totai Meiji Ceramic Plate
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Signed KINKOZAN

Totai Meiji Ceramic Plate
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Signed KINKOZAN

KAWADE SHIBATARO SIGNED
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WIRELESS 1900

KAWADE SHIBATARO
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WIRELESS 1900

Takahara Komajiro
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Signed Vase

Quality Meiji Floral Vase
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Unverified Unknown Matsu-Ya

Quality Meiji Floral Vase
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Unverified Unknown Matsu-Ya

MEIJI 1910 BOX KYOTO STYLE
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SANO TOYOSABURO Kyoto

MEIJI 1910 BOX KYOTO STYLE
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SANO TOYOSABURO Kyoto

Late Meiji Ginbari Mixed Box
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SANO TOYOSABURO

Late Meiji Ginbari Mixed Box
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SANO TOYOSABURO

KINKOZAN SATSUMA CLOISONNE VASE
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1900 RARE PIECE CERAMIC

KINKOZAN SATSUMA CLOISONNE VASE
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1900 RARE PIECE CERAMIC

Set Boxed Modern Plates
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TUTANKA - HIRABAYASHI

Set Modern Boxed Plates
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TUTANKA - HIRABAYASHI

Meiji Ho-Bird Teapot
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Signed Enamel HONDA

Meiji Ho-Bird Teapot
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Signed Enamel HONDA

Fine Totai Rouleau Vase
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Signed TAKEUCHI CHUBEI

Fine Totai Rouleau Vase
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Signed TAKEUCHI CHUBEI

Early Meiji TOTAI Vase
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Signed SUZUKI SEIICHIRO

Early Meiji TOTAI vase
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Signed SUZUKI SEIICHIRO

Fancy 6 Panel Meiji Vase
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Unverified Kyodai Mark

Fancy 6 Panel Meiji Vase
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Unverified Kyodai Mark

Fine Ginbari Vase
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ITO, SOEMON C1900

Fine Ginbari Vase
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ITO, SOEMON C1900

Blue Ginbari Dragon Vase
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Signed KATSU Unverified

Modern Gilt Spoon
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Hinode Japanese Exports

Pair Elegant Green Swirl Vases
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TAKEUCHI CHUBEI C1900

Pair Elegant Green Swirl Vases
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TAKEUCHI CHUBEI C1900

Pair Elegant Green Swirl Vases
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TAKEUCHI CHUBEI C1900

UNKNOWN

Rare Coben Ferster Panel Vase
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Signed Unknown

Rare Coben Ferster Panel Vase
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Signed Unknown

Mixed Cloisonne Figural Plate
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Applied Metal Unknown Mark

Mixed Cloisonne Figural Plate
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Applied Metal Mark Unknown
Small Tray Daisy Butterfly
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Coin Ground Red Unknown Mark

Small Tray Daisy Butterfly
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Coin Ground Red Mark

Dragon Wireless Ground Vase
marks/signeddragonvase2.jpg
Signed Unknown

Dragon Wireless Ground Vase
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Signed Unknown

LATE MEIJI DECO
marks/fxtakaharaKsignedpair.jpg
Signed Vase

LATE MEIJI DECO
taggedMarks/fxsignedyellowswirlvase1.jpg
Signed Vase

Rare Pair Early Oval Trays
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C1860 Red Enamel Mark

Rare Pair Early Oval Trays
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C1860 Red Enamel Mark

Dainty Tsuiki Meiji Vase
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Signed Unknown

Dainty Tsuiki Meiji Vase
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Signed Unknown

MODERN EXPORT CLOISONNE
marks/cposignedvase2.jpg
USA? DIAMOND RETAILER MARKS

MODERN EXPORT CLOISONNE
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USA? DIAMOND RETAILER MARKS

Modern Wireless Box
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Signed Unknown

Modern Wireless Box
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Signed Unknown

Fabulous Scenic Vase
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Unknown Gold Wire Mark

Fabulous Scenic Vase
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Partial ...KOBE... Gold Mark

Small Iris Vase
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Unknown Mark

Small Iris Vase
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Unknown Mark

Copyright 2009-2011

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