A cloisonné enamel tray, Meiji period (late 19th century), sealed Sakigake (Workshop of Namikawa Sosuke; 1847-1910). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The lobed tray decorated after a design by Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918), in gold and silver wires and partly in wireless (musen) enamels with a quail, bracken and blue orchid branch on a pale gray ground changing to orange at the top, signed Seitei and sealed; inlaid seal mark on reverse; 10¾in. (27.3cm.) diameter. Estimation: USD 20,000 - 30,000

Generally in excellent overall condition for its age except for some very minor surface wear. 

Provenance: From a Private Collection

Notes: Namikawa Sosuke had pioneered a pictorial style of cloisonné enamelling as early as 1881, when his panels for the Second Naikoku Kangyo Hakurankai (National Industrial Exposition) were exhibited in the Art section, in contrast to the work of other cloisonné workshops, which were confined to the Industrial section. He would often look to ink paintings for inspiration, as here, in collaboration with Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918). In 1986, Sosuke became an Imperial Craftsman together with Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927), no relation.

Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918) first studied under Kikuchi Yosai (1788-1878), after which he spent a brief time in the studio of the painter and lacquer artist, Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). In 1878 he travelled in the United States and Europe, remaining in Paris for three years and becoming the first Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist to live in Europe with the aim of studying Western painting. On his return from Europe, Setei created designs for ceramics and cloisonné, working with the cloisonné artist Namikawa Sosuke, leading to acclaim from abroad.

Christie's. Japanese Art: Meiji Period Magnificence -https://onlineonly.christies.com/