Antique Japanese Ikebana Vase, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-707

Japanese Ikebana Bronze Vase | Antique Flower Vase & Living Room Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-707

A handcrafted Japanese antique bronze vase with rich verdigris patina, elephant-head handles, and deeply cast mythological relief bands -- a striking collector's piece from the Early Showa period.

An ikebana vase is a vessel traditionally used in Japan for the art of ikebana -- the disciplined practice of flower arrangement that emphasizes balance, negative space, and the beauty of natural form. This globular bronze vase, likely cast during the Early Showa period (1927-1945), reflects the era's deep reverence for classical Chinese bronze forms, which Japanese metalworkers studied and reinterpreted with great skill. The rounded body rises to a flared trumpet neck, flanked by a pair of cast elephant-head handles -- a motif drawn from archaic Chinese bronzework and long admired in Japanese decorative arts for its auspicious symbolism. Encircling the shoulder and upper body are densely packed relief bands featuring scrolling cloud patterns and what appear to be phoenix or mythical bird figures set within lobed cartouches -- all rendered with crisp, confident casting. The entire surface is finished in a deep moss-green patina with darker mottled areas, giving the vase a quality of age and gravitas that suggests deliberate artistic intent rather than mere wear.

Today this vintage Japanese bronze vase makes a commanding living room accent or entryway statement piece, requiring no flowers at all -- its sculptural silhouette and layered relief decoration speak for themselves. Styled on a console table, bookshelf, or tokonoma-inspired display nook, it brings a wabi-sabi aesthetic to both minimalist and maximalist interiors alike. It also functions beautifully as an ikebana or bonsai display vessel, supporting a single dramatic stem or a spare arrangement in the classic Japanese manner. For the collector or the Japanophile, it is a rare and meaningful gift -- a tangible connection to a tradition of Japanese antique metalwork that spans centuries.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Cast bronze with verdigris and mottled green-brown patina
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement vase; decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; ikebana or bonsai display vessel; unique gift for collectors or Japanophiles
• Features: Globular body with flared trumpet neck; paired cast elephant-head side handles with ring loops; multiple encircling relief bands with scrolling cloud motifs and lobed cartouches depicting mythical birds; rich verdigris patina with dark mottled areas; recessed foot ring visible on base
• Dimensions: 6"W x 6"D x 8"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare example of Japanese antique bronze craftsmanship -- this ikebana vase brings centuries of artistic tradition and wabi-sabi elegance to any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.