Hello William, I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal, Considering the photographs, overall pattern, knot density and the colours, I concluded that this is a Japanese Bronze Flower Vase from the period 1926-1985. This mark was used in many decorative pieces throughout 20th century. Your piece is one of them and quite rare. The wooden boxes of these kind are known as "Tomobako" and they've been used in packing artifacts for many centuries. The writing on the box is also a label and an expllonation to what's inside. The writing reads as “Six lobed -copper or bronze- flower vase”. So the calligraphy on the box does not identify the maker but identifies the object. This six lobe were probably made in order to create a very known shape, a gourd shape! This was a known and a popular shape in Asian artifacts. Lobed Japanese vases are rare and being a bronze piece, yours is rarer. I could only find one more example of this kind. The piece does not have a heavy artistic work behind it but still very elegant in style and design. My guess is that this type of piece might have been made for high-end touristic item purposes in early to mid 20th century. A dark and thick patina was obviously applied to the bronze-copper surface in order to protect the surface and create an interesting colour. Bronze casted. Dimensions: 7.1 Inches High and 2.5 Inches of diameter (at base). Condition: In very good condition without any mentioned cracks or damage. Provenance: Customer's mother purchased it but the date is unclear. 400-600$. I'll leave you a link to a very similar, almost the same piece, but the price on this link is very speculative. Considering the past auctions I believe the price I have given is a fair market value. https://www.averydash.com/products/delicate-lobed-double-gourd-shaped-japanese-bronze-vase Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.
