A BEAUTIFUL late 19th Century/early 20th Century cloisonné incense burner in the manner of Hayashoi Kodenji will feature at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s next sale on Thursday, February 2, at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton.

Simon Rayner, valuer at Greenslade Taylor Hunt, said: “There’s quite a lot of cloisonné around and mostly its fairly standard fare, but this piece is stunning in quality, and the condition is just about as perfect as the day it was made.”

Although in the form of a Chinese incense burner Mr Rayner believes it is actually Japanese. It has a pre-sale guide of £300-£500.

The Chinese introduced cloisonné, an ancient art of decorating metal vessels, to Japan in the 1830s. Through this technique, artists create intricately compartmentalised designs with soldered metal wires, fill them with coloured enamel, then fire, grind and polish them. Objects that are embellished with cloisonné designs, like the technique itself, are often also called cloisonné.

This highly intricate craft gained popularity in the 1850s when, after more than 200 years of isolationism, Japan initiated contact with the West. Much of the finest cloisonné was produced during the Meiji “Golden Age” (1868-1912) and into the early Taisho Period, with Japanese participation in international expositions and world’s fairs. Cloisonné production soared as demand for exotic Japanese art swept through Europe and America.

The February sale will also feature a fine section of Westcountry art. Examples will include this attractive view of Horner Wood, Exmoor, by George Percy Jacomb-Hood. Three pictures by the ever-popular Harry Frier are also entered in the sale.

There is still time to consign entries for this sale. For more information please contact the salerooms on 01823-332525.