Expert’s note:
The gilt panels and the overall style of combining different colors and materials in the present vases are reminiscent of Sawasa ware. For instance, see a similar ewer and cover with gilt panels from the Edo period, 18th century, 18.3 cm high, sold at Christie’s Paris on 16 October 2013, lot 318. However, the combination of Sawasa gilt panels with lacquered panels depicting European-inspired subjects is exceedingly rare. It is also noteworthy how seldom such sets are found complete with their matching covers and stands, even centuries after their creation.

Superbly cast and worked, each vase is decorated with gilt panels worked in low relief with flowering and fruiting plants along with two figures, rockwork, a pagoda, lingzhi, and birds in flight, all against ring-punched grounds, interspersed by lacquered scenes of Dutchmen engaged in a variety of pursuits including hunting, pouring wine, carrying instruments and banners.

The gilt covers are similarly worked with birds and prunus. The matching stands are of waisted shape and show pierced ruyi designs on five curled legs.

Provenance: The private collection of Jules Speelman, London, United Kingdom. Jules Speelman is a world-leading dealer and collector of East Asian art with 60 years of experience. In 1964 he joined his late father, Alfred, in the family business which already stretched back three generations to 19th century Holland and expanded into England around the turn of the century. Originally, A & J Speelman dealt with antiques, from European ceramics, silver, tapestries, and furniture to Chinese porcelain, and works of art. With his father, Jules gradually shifted the focus towards Asia and under Jules Speelman's skilled direction, A & J Speelman is now considered amongst the foremost dealers in Asian antiques, with a particular emphasis on figurative sculpture and works of art from the past 2000 years.
Condition: Good condition with wear, manufacturing irregularities, small nicks, rubbing and minor losses to gilding and lacquer with associated touchups mostly to the lacquered background, shallow scratches, minuscule dents, small areas of verdigris to interior.

Weight: 793.5 g and 789.3 g
Dimensions: Height 20.1 cm and 20.4 cm

Sawasa describes a distinctive style of metalwork produced in Asia during the 17th and 18th centuries. The base material was a copper-gold alloy, much like the Japanese shakudo. Sawasa articles usually appear in the form of all kinds of containers like tobacco boxes, but also cups and saucers, ewers, and other items for which the material is suited. The production of Sawasa items is primarily associated with Nagasaki, but various records suggest there was also a significant production in both Canton (Guangzhou) and Tonkin (Hanoi). The clientele were mainly the Dutch colonial expat community, who commissioned these items for their own use and to some extent for trade with Europe.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Near identical
Auction: Christie’s London, 9 November 2010, lot 213
Price: GBP 11,875 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of gilt-bronze and lacquered lobed vases, 17^th/18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the near identical form, decoration, and motifs. Note the size (21.4 cm).