An Imari vase and cover, late 19th century, together with a…
click the photo to enlarge
An Imari vase and cover, late 19th century, together with a pair of vases and covers decorated predominantly in iron-red and gilding with details in coloured enamels, grisaille and sepia, (6), 34.5 cm high; and 22 cm high

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Grisaille -
    Decorative painting in monochrome, usually shades of grey, olive green or buff, painted on wood, plaster, ceramic or stone surfaces to imitate marble figural sculpture or relief ornament.


    Grisaille, from the French "gris", or grey (colour) is a painting technique in which a monochrome image is created using only shades of gray, black and white, usually created by using a gray underpainting or a limited colour palette. It is often used to create the illusion of sculpture or relief on a flat surface, and was commonly used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

    The technique of grisaille has been used in decorative arts for centuries. It was commonly used in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe to create the illusion of sculptural relief on flat surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furniture. This technique allowed artists to create the illusion of depth and dimensionality without the use of colour.

    During the Rococo period, grisaille was often used in the production of ceramics and porcelain to create finely detailed designs on a white or light-colored surface.

    In the 19th century, grisaille continued to be used in decorative arts, particularly in the production of ceramics, both Western and Oriental.

  • Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.

    For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.

    Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Two Chinese inside painted snuff bottles, early 20th century, one painted with mountain landscapes the other one painted with scholars and attendants, both inscribed and signed, 7.4 cm and 7.5 cm high. Provenance: A private Queensland collection

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Kutani pair of vases painted with pheasants amongst flowers, with two butterfly wing form handles, signed to the base. Condition good, minor paint wear. Height 30 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An opposite pair of Satsuma vases, Meiji period, circa 1910, signed, the baluster vases with figural lug handles and faux rings with pendant drapery, well decorated with pairs of opposite images, both figural narrative scenes in subtle tones with gilt high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Cantonese famille rose porcelain floor vase mid 19th century decorated with painted scenes depicting exotic birds, figurative subjects and butterflies with gold gilded handles and mythical dragon mounts height 61.5 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.