Antique Bronze Japanese Meiji Vases - Sophisticated Asian Home Decor and Accents

Japanese art and dragons go together like bread and butter. You'll find them painted on Japanese meiji vases in bright and bold colors, you'll find them in more subtle relief patterns, and then there are the dragons that just slither up the side of the vase. So if you loved fantasy art as a teen, but have grown up and now own your own place, here's your chance to have very sophisticated dragon art.

Bronze-based sculpture develops a soft and mellow patina over time. I love art that also serves a purpose, so these vases won't sit empty for long. For a tranquil mood I'll place soft and flowing white or pale yellow flowers in them. When I'm having a party or want to infuse a space with energy, I'll add a huge bouquet of vivid lipstick red flowers. Don't forget that red is a traditional color of good luck in many Asian cultures.

You'll find simple Japanese Meiji bronze vases that reflect the simplicity of polished stones in a Zen garden as well. Soft organic colors complement the subtle rounded curves of these vases. Whether your have granite or wooden steps leading into your home, there is a Meiji vase that you'll love placing there. The dragons will help ward off the evil spirits and create a safe space for you and your family.

There's a wide variety of shapes available. You can opt for low and round or tall and a bit angular and everything in the middle. If you've got a spot that you're trying to harmonize then take its measurements so you won't be disappointed when the shape arrives. If you intend to use the vase for flowers or even to hold umbrellas, be sure to take this into consideration. Again I see no disprespect of art when you put it into service. While I have a large home, I really don't want to fill up the space trinkets that just sit there.

In addition to dragons the Japanese love to include soaring eagles, flying cranes, impish rabbits, and brilliantly plumed peacocks in their art. While I love the pure bronze Meiji vases. These artists also created mixed metal vases. Keep your eyes open for champleve-style Meiji vases. You'll see enamel included in the design. Artists do this by carving the design into the metal and leaving indentations. Then they pour enamel into the indentations and fire it. When it's cooled it is polished. A very beautiful vase is the result. It obviously has a lot more color than a solely bronze vase.

Cloisonne is another technique that Meiji artists use to infuse enamel into their design. First the artist uses a soldering technique to create compartments with a metal such as gold that will show in the finished design. These compartments are called cloisons in French. Then the enamel is placed in the compartment and it's fired. The design is similar but usually brighter and more well defined than the champleve style Meiji vases. So it truly is up to you how much color you want in your Asian decor.

If you decide to buy a Cloisonne-style Meiji vase, you'll love understanding how your piece was made. It makes it very special when a house guest or afternoon visitor spies one of your treasured pieces and comments on it. Then you can explain how it was made and what technique was used.