Namikawa Sosuke
A fine cloisonne enamel tray delicately worked in musen and silver wire with two crows perched on a snow laden willow branch, on a graduated pale grey to pale yellow ground, the reverse with stylised flowers and foliate scrolls on a dark aubergine ground, applied with a gilt rim.
Signed Setiei with red seal
Meiji period, circa 1890
The lack of sakigake seal of Namikawa Sosuke and the floral reverse would indicate an early example of his work prior to his more ususal signed pieces. Exactly when this was remains unkown but around 1890 would appear likely. It is an interesting link piece between his work for the Shippo Kaisha and his later works.
For an example of remarklably similar style both on the reverse and the enamelled rim dated to the late 1880's see The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art Vol. III Enamel, no.86 and a further example dated circa 1890, no.87
£35,000