This miniature vase of bulbous form with a long neck is decorated on a clear crackled glaze with a band of finely painted artisans at work. The neck carries alternating vertical bands of chrysanthemum and butterflies. A key-fret band edges the mouth, and scrolling vines circle the foot. Related craft friezes appear on the larger shokunin vase offered by Bonhams in 2026 and on the Khalili vase of silk finishing (S 77).
At under nine centimetres high, it shows the studio’s craft-subject frieze reduced to cabinet scale. The vase is signed on the underside ‘Yabu Meizan’ in a square cartouche. Offered at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, New York, on 16 September 2014, lot 2128. It realised US$2,500 including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of US$800–US$1,200.