The square tray finely decorated after a design by Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918), in gold and silver wires and partly in wireless (musen) enamels with rooster, hen and chick, on a pale gray ground changing to blue at the top, signed Seitei and sealed; gilt-copper rim.
Lot Notes:
Watanabe Seitei's (1851-1918) early studies were under Kikuchi Yosai (1788-1878), after which he spent a brief time in the studio of the painter and lacquer artist, Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). In 1878 he travelled in the United States and Europe, remaining in Paris for three years and becoming the first Nihonga artist to live in Europe with the aim of studying Western painting. On his return from Europe, Seitei created designs for ceramics and cloisonn??, working with the cloisonn?? artist Namikawa Soske (1847-1910), leading to acclaim from abroad.

Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 11 3/8 inches.
Weight: 3 1/2 lbs.
Condition: Upper right edge rim dented with corresponding enamel loss to back and hairline cracks to front panel.