Japan, a monumental heavy caste bronze “Flying Cranes” studio vase, 40cm, 15” high and 32cm, 13” wide, early Showa period (1920s-1930s).

The bulbous bronze Art Deco form crafted with several vignettes of flying crane embellishments and executed with a fine variegated red and brown patina, anonymous artist. A best in class, superb addition for the discerning collector and finest collection.

Provenance: Private Kyoto collection.

About Studio bronzes:
We use the term "Studio" piece to differentiate this work of art from more commercial bronze foundries which create mass produced ware from individual bronze artists, who hand create individual bronze works of art such as this superb vase. While this vase is not signed, this anonymous issue may have something to do with the Mingei ideals which were permeating Japan at the time (1930s). According to Yanagi Soetsu the “anonymous artist” was to be most highly revered. It was his Craft, as espoused by the great artists Bernard Leach, Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro, that formed the heart of the Japanese tea ceremony, and truly defined the aesthetic of subtle beauty indigenous to Japan. Kanjiro went so far as to say, that if you needed to see the signature to know who made it, then it was not worthy of a signature! Another possibility is this possibly unique vase was made for exhibition, and the artists name was to be listed alongside.