This type of bulbous bronze flower vase was used by the Ikenobo school, which is the oldest school of Japanese flower arrangement (ikebana). Kyoto was the birthplace both of ikebana and of the bronze flower vessel, and scrolls dating from the second half of the 17th century show the first examples of this most characteristic of Japanese bronze forms, the so-called futabana (two-flower) vase. By 1698, the futabana seems to have become one of the most popular ikebana vase forms, with handles that predominantly included shishi, butterflies, dragons and hares. With the emergence of flower arrangement and the tea ceremony as distinctively Japanese cultural pursuits, bronze casters began to develop new and innovative forms of vessels loosely based on Chinese originals but with an unmistakable Japanese elegance. These culminated in large bronze vases cast in exaggerated form for the classic, formal rikka style of flower arrangement, prevalent in the 17th century and early 18th centuries. (A similar flower bronze is illustrated on Plate 47 in the sumptuous book entitled FLOWER BRONZES OF JAPAN by Joe Earle.)

Overall CONDITION is very good, with wonderful original patina. There is a slight dent at the rim of the neck, which has caused some minor separation. (See enlargement photos.) A small section of the foot on one of the butterflies has broken off. This important flower bronze is ex. collection Toledo Museum of Art; museum inventory number on base. DIMENSIONS: 13” (33 cm) high, 10 ¼” (26 cm) diameter at mouth. Weight: 12 pounds.