Description: Elaborately designed showpiece consisting of six parts, namely, a three-footed base, base, collar, separate mouth which opens up extremely widely and handles. The alloy of this bronze is presumably shibuichi, meaning that copper was mixed with silver, thus creating a beautiful olive-brown color. On the base is a border of strung together c-forms and, on the foot, are fluttering leaves, bats and pairs of stylized magical creatures as well as a meander. Inside the curved borders of one of the vase’ large reserves is a bird amongst blossoms, while the other reserve features a dog sitting surrounded by grass. Also featured are variously stylized magical creatures, i.e. dragons. On the open-work collar is a Japanese variant of the ancient Chinese taotie-monster. The wide, plate-like mouth has tendril-form, inlay decoration on the rounded lip with an engraved lotus on the inside. The handles are removable and depict a long-tailed phoenix, called ho-o in Japan. The inlays are made of silver, gold (or gilded metal) and copper and are flat, with the exception of the dog, bird and blossoms in the reserves, which are takazogan (raised inlay). Very beautiful, refined patina with polish. A rare, impressive peace. Condition: Good condition Provenance: From a private German collection, subsequently in the collection of Sohel Chawla, New Delhi - Vienna