A Pair of Cloisonné Vases

Kumeno Teitaro (1865-1939) was part of the Translucent School of cloisonné design where translucent and opaque enamels are utilised together on one piece (ginbari-jippo). In an effort to distinguish his cloisonné masterpieces in the competitive cloisonné manufacturing region of Nagoya, Teitaro began to specialise in this technique. It is the translucency of these enamels that permits the silver foil of his vases to reflect, creating an internal radiance that animates the design and enlivens the colouration. Such pieces contrasted to the restrained floral designs of resident Nagoya cloisonné artists Hayashi Kodenji and Ando Jubei.

Teitaro won the 1889 Paris exposition top prize, the grand prix at the 1904 St. Louis exposition and the top prize at the 1905 Liege exposition. He also exhibited in the 1885 Nuremberg metalwork exposition and in 1900, at the Paris Exposition. He also one first prize at the Japanese National Exposition in Osaka in 1903.