Antique Japanese Usubata Flower Container Signed Tounsai

DescriptionAntique Japanese small bronze usubata, container for ikebana flower arrangements. The upper vase section has a wide, round rim and sits into a stand held up by three dragons. The rim of the upper section and the the rim of the base are decorated with matching key fret motifs. The bottom of the upper section is has a 4 character mark, 渡雲斎鋳 Cast by Tounsai.  Tounsai is an artist name used by Murata Toun. Toun (pronounced with the vowels separate, as To-un, meaning “transitory clouds”), was the adopted son of Murata Seimin (1781-1837). His father, Seimin, specialized in precise bronze sculpture using the lost-wax method. Much of his work was of Buddhist subjects, such as the casting of 500 arhats (disciples of the Buddha) at Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura. His other work included vases and ornaments, and he was famed for his studies of tortoises.Age: Edo period (circa 1830-1850)Dimensions: 4 3/4″ high x 7 3/4″ wide