Of overall baluster form, with shaped domed foot rim. The iron vases inlaid with gold, silver, shakudo and other alloys to create an incredibly detailed design.  The overall repeated pattern broken up with panels in the shape of fans, gourds, lotus petals and others. Each panel inlaid with different designs of grapevines in fruit, blossom and foliage or landscapes - together with rims of inlaid gold Greek key pattern borders. With inlaid gold tablet signature to one side. Signed Komai, Kyoto.

For a closely related pair of vases and other exceptional examples of work from the Komai company, see item 13 and following in The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art, Meiji No Takara, Treasures of Imperial Japan, Volume II, The Kibo Foundation.

Width: 9.1 cm
Height: 20.5 cm