Antique Japanese Signed Usubata Bronze Ikebana Flower Vase Plovers Over Waves

This is an antique Japanese late Meiji Era (c. 1900) bronze Usubata (Ikebana flower vase). This vase was used in a tokonoma (alcove in a traditional Japanese home) to display flowers. It is made of a heavy bronze and has a thick cast design of chidori (plovers) flying over waves. The waves are a symbol of worldly concerns, and the chidori symbolize perserverance as they are known for having the ability to fly through strong winds and high waves during migration. The combination of waves and plovers symbolize in Japan a return home after a long journey. It has stylized cloud shaped handles used to help carry it with the removable top filled with water and flowers.

It has a strong tri-pod footing. The large top part easily separates from the lower vase. Typically the top is taken to a place where flowers are arranged and then taken to the tokonoma where the base awaits.

This vase measures 11 3/4" in diameter across the removable top by 10 3/4" tall (29.5 x 27.5 cm). Along with an aged patina, this bronze usubata remains infine condition. A nice piece of bronze artwork weighing in at 9 pounds.

A beautiful way to display any kind of flower arrangement a great stand alone piece of bronze artwork