A pair of Japanese bronze vases,Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
Each worked in silver, gold, bronze, shakudo and copper low-relief inlay, forming a matching pair representing respectively an autumn and spring scene, each decorated with sparrows perched or flying among flowering branches, one vase with cherry blossoms, magnolia, morning glory and chrysanthemums, the other with camellia and valerian, the shoulder of each vase similarly decorated with a mythical creature prowling among stylized floral tendrils; the base of each vase stamped with a single character So/Munewithin a square cartouche.  Each vase 21cm (8¼in) high. (2).in good condition