*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for an elegant Takaoka copper vase made around 20-30 years ago. It was made using the lost wax process and features a mottled blue-grey-light gold patina.  It has a nice bulbous shape, and the front is decorated with the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum and two majestic cranes.  The opening is wide enough to accommodate a few thin stemmed flowers, very sorry but no box for this one. 

The process of colouring copper involves using a solution of copper sulphate and copper carbonate. First the copperware is allowed to soak in the solution, after that it is heated up gradually. After this process is complete the copper pieces are allowed to cool down, and this is when the colours and mottled patterns appear. Colours range from burnt orange to light gold, brown, and blue-grey. The final stage involves using beeswax to make the surface stronger and to give the wares a glazed appearance.

Takaoka city is the leading producer of copperware in all of Japan, its origins going back some 400 years to feudal times. They produce items for religious purposes, the tea ceremony, as well as pots and pans for daily use. Manufacturing involves several stages beginning with the making of moulds in either wax or resin. This is followed by casting via the lost-wax process, and then finishing and colouring. During the colouring process other metals may be added and lacquer is sometimes added to the base. All these processes combined create Japan’s finest copperware, all done by highly skilled master craftsmen.                                                                                                                               

Size

H.22cm (8.6”) x 12cm (4.7”) across x 4.5cm (1.7”) diameter rim                                             

Condition

There’s very minor surface wear such as very light scratches and scuffing.                            

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.