11 3/4" high late Meiji period (19th century) Japanese silver wire cloisonne bottle form vase with flaring mouth superbly decorated around the circumference at the base of the neck with a ferocious flaming three-clawed dragon with gaping mouth set against a red background. Flowering plants and a single butterfly decorate the bulbous bottom. Copper rims are at the mouth and base. The traditional blue counter-enamel is in the interior. Excellent overall condition with no dents, losses, chips, or cracks. There is normal pitting consistent with the period of production. There is some old adhesive residue to the copper base. This is an excellent example of the craft from the Golden Age of Japanese cloisonne production. This vase is from the estate of an 88-year-old Tucson woman who purchased her collection in antique shops in New York City in the 1950’s to 1970’s.