A Japanese cloisonné enamel jar and cover by Namikawa Yasuyuki, Meiji period, of compressed circular form with domed cover and chrysanthemum finial, finely worked with a pair of dragons on a black ground, the shoulder with stylized floral band imitating a folded brocade cloth, filled with polychrome flowerheads on a brown ground, the foot with missing signature plaque, height 6.9cm. Note: Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) was born into a samurai family in Kyoto. He began his career as a cloisonné artist in about 1868 and worked with the Kyoto Cloisonné Company between 1871 and 1874, before opening his own studio. He exhibited his work to great acclaim at national and international expositions and in 1896 he was appointed an Imperial craftsman to the Meiji Emperor. For a similar example, see Bonhams, London 6th November 2014, Lot 361.