Striking antique Japanese bronze/champlevé enamel vase, dating approximately to the late Meiji to early Taishō period, circa 1890–1920.

This substantial vase is richly decorated in colorful champlevé enamel with dramatic dragon and phoenix (hō-ō) motifs surrounded by stylized clouds and waves. The metal ground is beautifully textured throughout.

One of the most unusual features is the pair of sculptural elephant-head handles, with their elongated trunks curling downward along the shoulders of the vase.

Features include:

* Japanese bronze/copper-alloy construction
* Champlevé enamel decoration
* Dragon and phoenix imagery
* Pair of dimensional elephant-head handles
* Elaborately textured wave-pattern ground
* Multicolor enamels in blue, turquoise, green, red, yellow, pink, white and black
* Raised circular foot and flared mouth
* Unmarked base
* Approximately 10” tall
* Approximately 6” wide across the body; wider including handles

Condition: Antique condition with considerable age-related surface wear, patina, scratches and areas of enamel loss/chipping. There is also some old white residue/paint visible around portions of the upper rim/interior. The underside shows expected wear. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description. No polishing or restoration has been done.

A wonderfully decorative example of late-19th/early-20th-century Japanese metalwork with particularly desirable dragon, phoenix and elephant imagery.