MEIJI PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

A MONUMENTAL JAPANESE PATINATED-BRONZE KORO (INCENSE BURNER)
MEIJI PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Surmounted by a praying eagle perched on rockwork above a vase-shaped body cast in high relief with a Chinese warrior facing a Japanese samurai within watersprays to one side and a karashishi among blossoming peony branches to the obverse, the lower portion with entwined dragons and mythical beast monopedia, on a circular base raised on six upside down hanging bat feet
112 in. (286 cm.) high

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction. This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Paul Gallois

pgallois@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2260

Lot Essay

With the restoration of the Meiji Emperor and the opening of trade with the West, Japan began to participate in the Occident's International Exhibitions and promote its nation’s products. Among the most popular items were Japanese bronze works, including koros (incense burners) such as the example seen here. Beautifully modelled and intricately cast koros were collected by such high profile taste makers as Siegfried Bing, who in 1881 went on to sell a valuable koro by the known Japanese artist Kako to the Victoria & Albert Museum, London for the staggering price at the time of £1,586. 7s. 2d., a sum which required special dispensation from the Treasury (inv. 188:1 to 9-1883).

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