A Bronze Usubata: Lotus Leaf Shaped Ikebana Container with a Frog

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
4" x 8 1/4" x 6", 10 cm x 21 cm x 15.25

This fancifully formed, hand cast bronze vessel which was made to contain an ikebana arrangement is crafted in the image of a lotus leaf whose edge is perch to a delightful, small frog.

The base of this container is the softly bending stem of the leaf as well as to another leaf which is curled on to itself and not quite ready to unfurl.

Just wonderful.

This object was made in the late nineteenth, early twentieth century by Japanese metal artisans and there was a explosion of this kind of metal work. As the end of the Edo period gave way to a new era of consolidation under the emperor, putting an end to the feudal system that Japan was ruled by for centuries, the metal workers supplying arms, swords, armor, etc. to the samurai class suddenly were left without a market. They changed gears and started using their talents by applying them to crafting this kind of artistic metalwork, both beautiful to look at and purposefully functional.

This piece shows a heavy and beautiful patina and has little, if any, flaws. The leaf is beautifully sculpted and the frog--a feature of this kind of container--is an adorable detail.

With great age and even better craftsmanship, this is a recommended piece.