Japanese red and gold lacquer vase decorated with Shibayama panels, Meiji Period

Japanese red and gold lacquer vase with Shibayama round panels, the front with cranes and flowers and the back with birds and a hanging flower vase (hanaire), Meiji Period.

Shibayama 芝山象嵌細工 was the mosaic-like inlay technique used to decorate Japanese objects such as inro, vases, dishes and table screen. This highly-skilled work required the meticulous carving of very small fragments, which were inlaid into a wood or gold lacquer base.Just as in a jigsaw puzzle these pieces ultimately formed a complete scene.

In Japan the crane is an auspicious symbol of long life because of its fabled life span of a thousand years, luck and fidelity as cranes pair for life.