Japanese Cloisonné Palace Vase

Appraised on: June 13, 1998

Appraised in: Houston, Texas

Appraised by: David McCarron

Category: Asian Arts

Episode Info: Houston (#1624)

Originally Aired: July 2, 2012

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Appraisal Video: (1:00)

GUEST: When mother died, we were able to divide up all of her lovely things, but this was one thing that we were not able to come up with any way of dividing it-- it doesn't saw in half too well.

APPRAISER: This is basically a Japanese cloisonnè vase. Cloisonnè is an enameling process where enamel material is placed in amongst metal strands on a body, on a bronze body, and then fired a number of different times to produce these wonderful colors. Now, this was produced in Japan late 19th, early 20th century. This one has overall floral motifs with reserves throughout that are dragon and phoenix reserves, which are Chinese motifs that the Japanese then subsequently used, a lovely piece nevertheless. Now, a cloisonnè of this sort used to sell for more. At this time, I would say maybe $8,000 to $12,000 at auction.