Japanese Bronze Vase With Dragon Decoration – Meiji Period (circa 1880-1900)

A superb Japanese vase in patinated reddish-brown bronze, adorned with a spectacular dragon in relief coiled around its neck. The dragon's finely chiseled body displays remarkable precision: an expressive head, a bristling mane, sharp claws, and finely detailed scales. The dynamic composition, in which the dragon seems to leap from the metal, illustrates the technical mastery and decorative inventiveness of Japanese bronze workers during the Meiji period. The warm patina, subtly nuanced with red highlights, enhances the contrast between the softness of the body and the vigor of the sculpted relief. This type of vase, often intended for export to Europe at the end of the 19th century, testifies to the Western taste for Japanese art during the Belle Époque.