Japanese Art Vase

Tatsuya Hama (1927-1989)

Hammered metal vase in yellow and black.

A striking example of the refined craftsmanship and modernist expression emerging in Japanese metalwork during the mid-to-late Showa period. Crafted using the tsuiki (鍛金) technique of hand-hammered metal, the vessel features a tall form enhanced by a textured hand-painted surface. Overlaying this is a bold, abstract motif in black paint or lacquer, creating a dramatic interplay of form, depth, and movement.

Signed on the base by Tatsuya Hama, an artist active during the Showa era, this piece reflects the era's evolving blend of traditional craft and contemporary design, likely aligned with the sōsaku kōgei (創作工芸) or "creative crafts" movement.

A fine example of 20th-century Japanese decorative metalwork, it stands as both a sculptural object and a testament to the artistry of postwar Japan.

Japan, Showa period