Cloisonne - Vase Japanese ? Antique ?

I acquired this recently - it's different from other cloisonne pieces I've handled. Looking around on the internet, it seems to be Japanese. Yes No? It also looks like it might be antique, whatever that means. Date?
The design strikes me as Art Nouveau. The cloisons are all little whorls - more of them than the enamel. It is 6.25" high.

 

The tight pattern looks good for older but other than that i can not tell you any more. I like thecolorcontrast.

 

Really beautiful Whit-it does have a Nouveau/William Morris vibe.

 

Wipe off that paint splatter ! Its lovely.

 

Chinese, and not very old, sorry!

 

Awfully pretty though.

 

What are you looking for when you make that assessment. I have long puzzled over cloisonne pieces.

 

The 'ruyi' border is typical Chinese. A similar Japanese cloisonné vase would have a border of circles, or none at all.
Ruyi is a mushroom which has a scalloped/cloud shape. It is associated with longevity and immortality.

This vase is unusual in that it has no lacquer on the base though, which is why it could be seen as Japanese. Chinese cloisonné usually has a turquoisey blue lacquered base.