A Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Koro and Cover, by Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927), circa 1880-1890, of spherical form, the domed cover with chrysanthemum finial, worked in coloured enamels and gold and silver wire with three cream coloured panels with insects amongst flowering branches on a dark blue ground with scattered chrysanthemums within formal panelled borders, four character signature to silver tablet, 10.5cm high See illustration Having been a Samurai, Namikawa Yasuyuki began working as an artist after the Restoration of the Meiji Dynasty. He joined the Kyoto Cloisonne Company in 1871, leaving three years later to form his own company, whose works were displayed at several international exhibitions, and visits to his workshop became popular with foreign visitors, including Rudyard Kipling. The quality of his work received recognition in 1896 when he became one of only two cloisonne artists ever to be appointed Imperial Household Artist to create works of art for the Tokyo Imperial Palace and other Imperial residences. Examples of his work are on display in the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Ashmolean Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Khalili Collection of Japanese Art, as well as various museums in Japan. Some typical minor flaws to enamel formed as tiny pit marks, very minimal and insignificant. Three small areas of loss to gilding on upper rim of pot. Tarnishing to the metal throughout. Some very minor surface wear throughout. Finial firmly fixed.