The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of valuable antique & vintage heirlooms. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXThe AEAA is exceptionally pleased to showcase this incredible & Giant Japanese Meiji (1867-1912) ornately hand painted tapered cylinder vase with stylized double Chilong handles. Our vase features incredible floral medallions on both the obverse and reverse, with heavy deep pink enamel and splendid gilding. The unique rim of this treasure shows a unique wind swept wave form. The base is marked with a kiln stamp that is on the Gotheborg yet to be identified list, but the lack of any country designation leaves only two possibilities: that our vase was potted pre 1891, or that it was home market, and never intended to be exported to the USA. Either contingency makes this extremely collectible. Our vase stands 8 x 7.5 x 16.25 inches tall, weighing 6#, and is in VG condition with 2 rim chips. xxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. On 3 February 1867, fifteen-year-old prince Mutsuhito succeeded his father, Emperor Kōmei, to the Chrysanthemum Throne as the 122nd emperor. Imperial restoration occurred the next year on 3 January 1868 with the formation of the new government. The Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown with the fall of Edo in the summer of 1868, and Mutsuhito, who was to reign until 1912, selected a new reign title - Meiji, or Enlightened Rule, to mark the beginning of a new era in Japanese history. The first reform was the promulgation of the Five Charter Oath in 1868, a general statement of the aims of the Meiji leaders to boost morale and win financial support for the new government. Its five provisions consisted of:1) Establishment of deliberative assemblies2) Involvement of all classes in carrying out state affairs3) The revocation of sumptuary laws and class restrictions on employment4) Replacement of "evil customs" with the "just laws of nature" and5) An international search for knowledge to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule.Implicit in the Charter Oath was an end to exclusive political rule by the Bakufu (**A shogun's office or administration is known in English as a Shogunate. In Japanese it was known as Bakufu), and a move toward more democratic participation in government. To implement the Charter Oath, a constitution with eleven articles was drawn up. Besides providing for a new Council of State, legislative bodies, and systems of ranks for nobles and officials, it limited office tenure to four years, allowed public balloting, provided for a new taxation system, and ordered new local administrative rules. The Meiji government assured the foreign powers that it would follow the old treaties negotiated by the bakufu and announced that it would act in accordance with international law.

XA- P78 - Very good, has 2 rim chips