Posted 2 years ago
Around 1853, after two centuries of a policy of national seclusion under which no foreigner could enter Japan, nor could any native leave under penalty of death, foreign merchant ships again began to visit Japan. After the Meiji restoration in 1868, Japan began to receive foreign imports, and in return began to send its products to markets abroad, especially Europe and America. These products and styles became wildly popular, and by 1880 Japanese decorative themes were highly influential to the pioneers of Art Nouveau, notably Emile Galle, Ernest Leveille, Auguste Jean to name a few. These motifs also spread to the glass houses of Bohemia, and enameled glassware bearing Japanese motifs were produced by Harrach, Moser, and others.
The example shown here is most probably French, from the Clichy area north of Paris, by one of the makers mentioned above. It is unsigned and unmarked, circa 1880.