YAMAMOTO KOKEN: A FINE INLAID BRONZE VASE WITH CRANES By Yamamoto Koken, signed Koken (Yukinari) Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The vase with a brown patina and of baluster form with a short neck, everted lip, and recessed circular base, decorated in gilt, silver, shibuichi, and shakudo takazogan with six cranes, one of them in flight on the shoulder, the others on the subtly engraved ground with inlays of small rocks, plants, and leaves. Signed KOKEN to the reverse. HEIGHT 30 cm WEIGHT 3,212 g Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear. Provenance: British collection. Auction & Literature comparison: Compare with a pair of smaller vases by the same artist sold by Christies, Japanese & Korean Art, 23 March 2011, New York, lot 777 (sold for 8,125 USD). A further example of the artist is in the Khalili collection, Meiji No Takara - Treasures of Imperial Japan Metalwork Part II, plate 89.