A fine silver presentation vase with mixed metal decoration. By the Kobayashi Company, Meiji period (late 19th century). Photo Bonhams.

The tapering ovoid body decorated with a cast and repousse design featuring a pair of phoenix flying over flowering paulowina towards the sun wreathed in clouds, the details picked out in gold, silver and shakudo, a raised sixteen-petal chrysanthem medallion applied to the waisted neck, with a gold-inlaid seal reading Yumin/Aritami, the base stamped Kobayashi-kinsei and jungin; 15 1/4in (39cm) high. Sold for US$ 33,750 (€24,524)

Bonhams. FINE JAPANESE WORKS OF ART. 19 Mar 2014, New York. www.bonhams.com