Japanese Koro by Nogawa
Japanese bronze and mixed metals koro by Nogawa, dating to the Meiji period circa 1890. The koro is of octagonal form raised upon elongated bracket feet, executed in dark patinated bronze with finely worked silver, gold, shakudo and shibuichi inlay throughout.
The body is divided by diamond quilt pattern borders and decorated with four gilt framed panels depicting landscapes and flowering wisteria rendered in mixed metals against the rich bronze ground. The varying alloys create subtle tonal contrast across the surface, particularly within the landscape reserves where silver waterlines, darker shakudo details and soft gilt highlights are carefully balanced rather than overly decorative.
The elongated feet are finished with delicate silver line inlay, giving the koro a lighter visual appearance despite its architectural form. Above, the domed lid is decorated with geometric and floral borders and surmounted by a seated kirin finial highlighted with gilt spots and finely modelled details. The underside of the lid retains the Nogawa company mark.
Fresh to the market, the koro reflects the refined mixed metals work associated with the Nogawa workshop during the late Meiji period, when Kyoto metalworkers increasingly produced sophisticated decorative objects combining traditional alloy techniques with highly controlled surface decoration for both domestic and export audiences.
The restrained use of mixed metals, dark natural patination and carefully spaced decorative reserves place the piece firmly within the higher quality artistic metalwork produced during the late nineteenth century rather than heavily ornamented commercial export wares.
The koro remains a strong example of Meiji period Japanese mixed metals work with finely detailed inlay, balanced proportions and excellent surface decoration throughout.
Provenance
Private UK collection.
Measurements
18cm high x 9.75 x 6.5cm Deep (7 x 3.85 x 2.56 Inches)
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