蔦蜻蛉模様金銀象嵌鉄掛花入|Hanging Vase with Ivy and Dragonflies

Unknown

second half of the 19th century · Iron inlaid with silver, gold and copper · Asian Art

This hanging vase is embellished with ivy and dragonflies in the set-in inlay (suemon-zōgan) technique with gilded details, patterns that Moore adopted for several Tiffany silverwares. He and his team also analyzed the inlaid Japanese mixed-metal alloys. The ivy pattern, representing a strong life force, was popular among the samurai, while the dragonfly symbolized bravery and was accordingly often featured on sword fittings. Dragonflies are admired for their beauty, particularly their iridescent wings, and as harbingers of autumn.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half of the 19th century

Medium

Iron inlaid with silver, gold and copper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891