A blue vase from the early 20th century depicting cherry blossoms and a sparrow, decorated with cloisonné enamel.
The Kyoto company Kin-un-ken opened around 1871 and produced high-quality cloisonné enamel art wares under the direction of Ozaki Kyubei. The company had a high reputation and status as a supplier to the Japanese Imperial Court and the Belgian Royal Court. Kin-un-ken products won prizes at international exhibitions in Vienna (1873), Paris (1878), Amsterdam (1883), New Orleans (1884), Nuremberg (1885) and St. Louis (1904).
Vase decorated with coloured cloisonné enamel, with birds among flowers and foliage, height 20 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.
The company was owned since 1889 by Inaba Shichiho (1850-1931), who had been with the company since the late 1870s. His works are sometimes signed with his artist name, Nanaho.
Vase decorated with cloisonné enamel, height 18 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.
All the products of the Kin-un-ken company in the selection were created for export to European countries, taking into account the tastes of the Western buyer. Very few such works remained in Japan. But at the beginning of its activity, the company was still focused on the needs of the domestic market. Products of this period are very rare, and I managed to find only one such work.
Vase with a depiction of cranes in flight, cloisonné enamel, height 9.8 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.Vase with wisteria, cloisonné enamel, height 14 cm, Kin un ken, circa 1900.Purple vase on wooden stand with birds on plum blossom branches, cloisonné enamel, height 22 cm, Kin un ken, circa 1900.Vase with cranes, cloisonné enamel, height 15.6 cm, Kin un ken circa 1900.Vase with a bird on the branches of a blossoming cherry tree, cloisonné enamel, height 15.4 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.Black vase with birds and wisteria, cloisonné enamel, height 17.4 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.Vase with butterfly motif, cloisonné enamel, height 17.7 cm, Kin un ken, late 19th century.Vase with butterfly motif, cloisonné enamel, height 9.2 cm, early 20th century.Green vase with irises, cloisonné enamel, height 18 cm, 19th century.Vase with a bird pecking berries, cloisonné enamel, height 24 cm, 19th century.Blue vase with a bird on the branches of a blossoming cherry tree, cloisonné enamel, height 17.8 cm, late 19th century.Vase with a bird of paradise and butterflies among flowers, cloisonné enamel, height 15.2 cm, late 19th century.Vase with stylized herons in musen shippo (cloisonné enamel) technique, height 9.6 cm, Kin un ken, circa 1900.Silver filigree vase with enamel inserts depicting a phoenix and a dragon, height 20 cm, 1900.Vase with cranes, cloisonné enamel, height 18.5 cm, late 19th century.Blue vase with irises, cloisonné enamel, height 18 cm, 1900.Vase with a reed warbler in flight over a blossoming plum tree, cloisonné enamel, height 12.7 cm, 19th century.Pair of vases depicting sparrows in flight, cloisonné enamel, height 11 cm, late 19th century.Vase with butterflies and blooming carnations, cloisonné enamel, height 15.5 cm, Inaba Shichiho, 20th century.Hand warmer – Shuro, decorated with an ornament with stylized chrysanthemums, cloisonné enamel, diameter 30.5 cm, early 20th century.Advertisement for the Kin un ken company, circa 1910.Vase with a bird in flight over a blooming peony, cloisonné enamel, height 12.7 cm, late 19th century.A rare sake jug with pine, bamboo and plum designs from the early days of Kin un ken.
