Latest Additions: Rare and Refined Meiji Art
We are pleased to share the latest arrivals in our collection of Meiji art, showcasing the brilliance and creativity of Japanese artists during one of the country’s most culturally significant periods. Each new piece exemplifies the extraordinary craftsmanship, aesthetic sensitivity and innovation that define Meiji art.
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Tamura
A cloisonné enamel vase finely worked in silver wire with two cockerels and hens amongst wild flowers on a black ground.
Meiji period, circa 1900
A pair of large cloisonné enamel vases, each finely worked in silver wire with numerous overlapping leafy stems of graduated pink, white, orange and blue chrysanthemums
Meiji Period, circa 1900
A yuzen birodo textile depicting the Kiyomizu dera temple in Kyoto
Meiji Period, circa 1900
Sano Takachika
A Tokyo School bronze figure of a rice farmer wearing a patched short tunic and leggings, standing holding a woven basket winnowing the rice, the details finely worked and bearing a rich dark patination.
Meiji period, circa 1900
Taisai
A lacquer document box, boldly worked in taka-maki-e with a large peony bloom on a roiro ground, applied with lacquer rims imitating silver.
Circa 1910
A porcelain panel after Kawanabe Kyosai, with polychrome enamelled decoration of frogs banqueting, drinking, dancing or playing the shamisen.
Meiji Period, circa 1895
Ota Hyozo
A cloisonné enamel vase of rounded tapering square section finely worked in silver wire with four panels of wisteria, prunus, maple and cherry above colourful flowers
Meiji period, circa 1900
Nogawa Workshop
A pair of inlaid bronze vases each of baluster form worked in silver and gilt and carved with egrets amongst large stems of flowering lotus, the necks inlaid in shibuichi
Meiji period, circa 1880
Hayashi Kodenji
A massive cloisonné enamel charger finely worked in silver wire with a hawk perched on a flowering cherry branch beneath trailing wisteria
Meiji period, circa 1880
A Curated Selection of Masterpieces
At Malcolm Fairley, our mission is to present the finest examples of Meiji art to a global audience of collectors. Our newest additions include lacquerware, cloisonné, ceramics and metalwork, each selected for its technical mastery and exceptional condition. These rare objects reflect the transformation of Japan's artistic identity during the Meiji period (1868–1912).
The Height of Artistic Excellence
Meiji art marked an era when Japanese artisans were celebrated for pushing creative boundaries and adapting traditional techniques to modern tastes. Many of our pieces were produced for international expositions, where they garnered acclaim and recognition. Today, they remain treasured examples of cross-cultural brilliance.
Why Collect Meiji Art?
Beyond aesthetic beauty, Meiji art represents a pivotal moment in Japanese history. It reflects an age of innovation and exchange, when master artists blended timeless traditions with global influences. For collectors, acquiring Meiji art means preserving this cultural legacy and investing in a genre of enduring significance.
From Our Gallery to the World
Based in Central London, the Malcolm Fairley Gallery is a trusted destination for connoisseurs of Meiji art. Our gallery continues to be a respected source of Japanese antiques for institutions and collectors worldwide. Each newly acquired piece is thoroughly researched, ethically sourced and selected for its artistic and historic merit.