Pr Antique Japanese Cloisonne Floral Bird Vases

Original pair of Meiji presentation vases in their original boxes! The top of each box reads "Floral Vase" and the underside inscription reads "Presented to Mr. Gillespie by the Imperial Railroad Committee".

The detailing is of these pieces is incredible with silver cloisonne wires that twist almost frantically in all directions, particularly near the base. The rock or water formations on the base are something I've never seen before. They are a swirl of color and white and silver that is an amazingly beautiful effect. The birds of paradise roosting on the tree branch is as fine a quality as I have ever seen in Japanese cloisonne. This pair of just under 10" vases has everything going for them, Presentation pieces by the Japanese Government to an American Engineer that helped build the Railroad system in Japan, original boxes with presentation insciption, original wood stands, signed silver wire pieces by an Artist that worked at Ando and is certainly reminiscent of Hayashi Kodenji and in near perfect condition.

The vases appear to have resided in their boxes and the vase are undamaged save for a 1/4" scrape on one shoulder in the reverse and are mirrorlike in every way. Circa 1890 and a incredible pair you will never see again.