A Fine Large Bronze Koro [Incense Burner]

SIGNED MIYAO ZO, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Fine Large Bronze Koro [Incense Burner]
Signed Miyao zo, Meiji Period (late 19th century)
Handaka Sonja seated lifting a large koro above his head, his robes richly gilded with roundels of dragons and butterflies, the koro engraved in high and low relief with a dragon among clouds, the pierced cover with geometric bands and surmounted by a karashishi with a ball in its mouth, on a carved wood base decorated in gold hiramaki-e [low relief lacquer] with scrolling foliage
64cm. high

Lot Essay

The Miyao Company of Yokohama, under its founder Miyao Eisuke, was a prolific producer of medium to large-scale patinated and gilded bronze ornamental sculptures. It was renowned for producing good quality, ornate and highly detailed pieces by utilising casting and gilding techniques. Common themes often included popular Japanese legends and mythology such as Benkei, a Minamoto clan warrior during the Heiji rebellion, stealing the Miidera Temple Bell, (see Lot 27) and oni (demon) hiding from the purifying incense of a koro.

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