Important technological innovations introduced during the Meiji era (1868-1912) brought about a renewal of cloisonné enamel ware, thanks in particular to the work of the German chemist Gottfried Wagener (1831-1892), employed as one of a number of foreign specialists then working in Japan. A close collaboration ensued between Wagener and Namikawa Yasuyuki 並河靖之 (1845-1927), appointed Imperial artisan in 1896 and considered among the best enamel craftsmen of his time. The works of Yasuyuki, examples of which are on show here with the signature “Kyôto Namikawa”, make full use of the new range of colours available and are characterised by extremely thin gold and silver wire partitions. By contrast, Namikawa Sôsuke 濤川惣助 (1847-1910), would perfect a technique of wireless enamelling (musen shippô 無線七宝), aiming to reproduce some of the effects of painting.
Hexagonal vase 有線七宝六角花瓶
Water plants (arrowhead) オモダカ図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘 京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-1
Square vase 有線七宝四方花瓶
Plovers (chidori) and pine trees 浜松千鳥図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘 京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-20
Incense box (kôgô) 有線七宝香合
Tea house in the countryside 名物茶店図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-13Incense box (kôgô) 有線七宝香合
Landscape 山水図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘 京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-34Vase 有線七宝花瓶
Spring landscape 春景図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘 京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-16
Square dish 有線七宝四方小皿
Karasaki shrine on the shores of Lake Biwa 唐崎の松図
Seal « Kyôto Namikawa » 銘 京都並河
Late 19th century 明治初期
CB-CLJ-1964-28