Metal Octagonal Bronze Patina Flower Vase [SOLD]

The American Arts & Crafts movement (roughly 1890-1920) was more than just a style; it was a philosophical rebellion against the "soulless" clutter of the Industrial Revolution. While it took its initial cues from English thinkers like William Morris, it found its true soul in the aesthetics of Japan — a phenomenon known as Japonisme.

The Japanese Influence on the American Aesthetic

When Japan opened its borders to the West in 1854, it sent a shockwave through the design world. American artists and architects were captivated by the Japanese approach to "organic" living. The Japanese belief that nature and art should be indistinguishable perfectly mirrored the Arts & Crafts ideal.

Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and the Greene & Greene brothers (famed for the Gamble House in California) moved away from Victorian excess toward the clean lines, exposed joinery, and low horizontal profiles seen in Japanese temples and traditional minka houses. An Arts & Crafts home was intended to be a cohesive environment. Every detail — from the built-in oak sideboards to the small metal accents on a mantle — needed to harmonize. This is why Japanese metalwork and ceramics became the "essential accessory" for the high-end bungalow interior.

Featured Object: An Octagonal Bronze-Patina Vase

This Japanese-crafted vase is a quintessential example of the accessories favored by early 20th-century homeowners. It serves as a bridge between the industrial West and the artistic East. The vase features an octagonal (eight-sided) geometry, a shape that fits perfectly within the rigid, structural lines of a Mission-style or Prairie-style home.

Constructed from a weighted metal alloy with a rich, dark bronze patina, it offers the "earthy" weight and tactile quality that Arts & Crafts collectors crave. Each of the eight panels features an impressed, low-relief bamboo motif. In Japanese culture, bamboo represents strength and flexibility — themes that were highly resonant during the American "Simple Life" movement.

The piece retains its original "Made in Japan" paper label. This indicates it was likely imported during the height of the movement, specifically intended for the American market that was hungry for authentic Japanese craftsmanship.

Why This Piece Works

In a room filled with quartersawn oak furniture and copper lighting, this vase adds a necessary layer of texture. Its quiet, dark tone doesn't shout for attention, but its geometric facets and naturalistic imagery reward those who look closer.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Metal Octagonal Bronze Patina Flower Vase is from the collection of Alexander E. Anthony, Jr. Purchased in the 1990s at a gift shop named "Hey Johnny"  in Albuquerque's Nob Hill Neighborhood. Hey Johnny was in business until 2017.

Recommended Reading: Arts and Crafts Home By Robert Rust and Kitty Turgeon

TAGS: Arts and Crafts Furniture, Arts and Crafts Accessories