Antique Japanese Bronze Jardiniere Elephant Handles Birds Meiji Taisho 10in For Sale

Antique Japanese Bronze Jardinierewith Elephant Head HandlesBird and Flower Panels
A handsome and substantial Japanese bronze jardiniere with a warm golden brown patina. The body is decorated with four shaped panels in high relief, each cast and then finely chased and engraved by hand:A quail beneath orchids and pierced garden rockwork, with a bird in flight aboveA songbird perched among plum blossoms beside a gnarled tree trunkTwo birds among bambooA bird in flight above a large peonySmooth bronze between the panels sets off the detailed scenes. Two cast elephant head handles curve down from the shoulders, with their trunks forming the handle loops. The flared rim is finished with a stamped band of small four-petal flowers, and the jardiniere sits on a wide, stepped round foot.This is a heavy, well-cast piece. At over 9 pounds it has the weight you would expect from true bronze. The interior walls show the turned lathe marks and small casting plugs typical of Japanese bronze work of this type, and the floor is a separate disc set into the base. We tested it with water, and it holds water with no leaking, so it is ready to use as a planter.Bronze jardinieres like this were made in Japan from the late Meiji period into the Taisho era, much of it for export to Western homes, where they held palms and ferns in parlors and conservatories.Based on its style, construction and wear, we believe this piece dates to the late Meiji to Taisho period, circa 1890 to 1920s. It is unmarked.Measurements:
Outer rim diameter: 10 inches
Inside rim diameter: 8 3/4 inches
Height: 9 inches
Base diameter: 8 inches
Weight: 9 lb. 2 ozCondition
Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use.Specifically:There is a small nick on the inner edge of the rim, barely noticeable.The interior shows heavy use, with mineral deposits, darkening, discoloration and some spots of green verdigris, most likely from use as a planter.The inset floor disc shows a visible gap along part of its seam where it meets the base. This is part of how the piece was made, not a crack. The jardiniere held water with no leaking when we tested it.The underside shows scratches, patina wear, a small pale spot and scattered dark marks consistent with age.There is normal patina wear to the high points, handles and rim, and some darker buildup in the recesses of the panels.No other damage noted.The color of the item may vary slightly from the photos due to different monitor displays, lighting conditions, and camera settings. We do our best to accurately capture and describe the true color of every item.Please review all photos closely, as they form an important part of the condition report. Additional photos are available on request, and we are happy to answer any questions before you buy.About This SellerWelcome to Times Gone By!
We are Terry and Sue, a husband and wife team who have spent many years collecting vintage treasures and antiquities we truly love. Now retired, we are gradually downsizing our collection and sharing pieces with new homes. Some items listed are sourced for resale, while others come directly from our own personal collection built over the years. Every item is inspected closely and photographed in detail so you can shop with confidence. We describe condition as accurately and honestly as possible, including any flaws, so there are no surprises when your item arrives. All items ship within 1–2 business days of payment, carefully packed to ensure safe arrival. We welcome questions before you buy, and we stand behind every item we sell. Thank you for taking the time to visit our shop and for supporting a small, retired collector-run business. We hope you find something as special as it was to us. We would never intentionally misrepresent anything and try to describe all items to the best of my ability. Most of what we offer is used, vintage or antique and their condition will reflect that. Potential buyers should do their own research and use their own expertise before purchasing.
Thank you for looking! 😊✌