Bronze vase with decoration of dragons, Japan Meiji period circa 1880

Elegant Japanese bronze vase around which two Ryu dragons are entwined. These dragons, made in high relief and with great detail and have a slightly silvered patina. One of the dragons holds a rock crystal pearl in its front claws.
Jo Ko signature under the base.
The Japanese dragon is called ry?. Although it differs from other oriental dragons because it has only three claws, its symbolism and its attributions are similar. It is associated with water,sea,sky or clouds. It is for this reason that many Japanese representations associate two dragons, one descending from the sky and the otherone emerging from waves.
45 x 28 x 25 cm