Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase By Inaba Nanaho, Meiji Era Japan

Vase with polychrome decoration in cloisonné enamels of iris.
The challenge that the artist set himself on this miniature vase was to create a decoration with as much detail as on a large vase. The wires are of absolute finesse and what can we say about the size of the cells filled with enamel, it is astonishing !
Signed on the underside "Kinunken zo".
Japan, late 19th century.

Inaba Shichiho, better known by his artist name Inaba Nanaho, worked for the Kinunken company in Kyoto from its founding around 1871 in order to supplement his meager income as a low-ranking samurai. He bought the company in 1889. A first-rate artist, he won numerous medals at exhibitions and was one of the few to work for the imperial family during the Meiji era.