A SUPERB PLIQUE-À-JOUR `FLOWERS` BOWL Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The deep rounded sides supported on a short, splayed foot, applied with silver rims, delicately worked in silver wire and translucent bright enamels in shades of red, violet, yellow, green, light blue, orange and brown against a bubble suffused ground, with numerous flowers borne on leafy vines, including chrysanthemum, peony, magnolia and plum. DIAMETER 11.1 cm WEIGHT 130 g Condition: Remarkably good condition, minor typical wear. Provenance: Norwegian private collection. Plique-à-jour, known as shotai-shippo in Japan, came to Japan via France around 1900. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related plique-à-jour bowl with floral design, late 19th century, at Christie`s, Masterful Exuberance, Artistic Craftsmanship of Imperial Japan: The Property of a Lady, 18 May 2012, London, lot 241 ( sold for 2,000 GBP ). Compare a closely related plique-à-jour bowl with floral design, late 19th century, at Christie`s, The Avo Krikorian Collection: Innovation and Inspiration of Meiji Period Design, Geneva, 19 February 2007, lot 114 ( sold for 2,160 CHF ).