Page 23 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

9 | SEIUN: A RARE ‘DAIKOKU HAMMER’ 11 | A FINE BRONZE OF
BRONZE KORO A RUNNING BOAR
By Seiun, signed Seiun with kao Japan, early Meiji period (1868-1912)
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
The bronze figure with dark chocolate-brown
Cast in the form of a Daikoku mallet on a cord with two patina and masterly chiseled fur. The beast
tassels, the reticulated cover with a silvered rat sitting on depicted with open mouth, upward pointed
top serving as the handle. The eyes of the rat are finely tusks and ferocious eyes in a realistic, almost
inlaid in bronze and details such as hair and tail are neatly IULJKWHQLQJ DWWDFN SRVWXUH b
incised. The convex lid is surrounded by a key fret border
in deep relief and cleverly mirrored by an identical design LENGTH 21.5 cm across
on the underside of the hammer. The lid fits so well into WEIGHT 1492.6 grams
the border that at first sight it looks like it cannot be
removed – a real Trompe l’Oeuil! Artist signature SEIUN Condition: Superb condition with some old wear
and kao incised to underside. and a few tiny surface scratches here and there.
Provenance: French private collection.
HEIGHT 19 cm
WEIGHT 1303.5 grams A near identical bronze was exhibited in 2014
in the History Museum, Moscow, as part of the
Condition: Excellent condition with some wear and tiny ‘Japanese animalistic bronze of the Meiji epoch’
scratches only. exhibition.
Provenance: From an English private estate.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Starting price EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

12 | A BRONZE GROUP OF THREE TORTOISES
10 | HIDEAKI: A FINE BRONZE
OF A RAT ON DAIKOKU’S BAG
The largest signed Tsunemitsu, the second largest signed Yoshinobu.
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
By Hideaki, signed Hideaki saku
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
A rare group of naturalistically modelled bronze tortoises. Note the finely incised detail
work, especially to the carapace. It is rare to find such a group being still together, more
Finely cast in two parts as a rat seated on top of the lucky
than a century after its creation. The largest and second largest are signed TSUNEMITSU
deity Daikoku’s bag, the rat inset and removable. The bag is of
and YOSHINOBU respectively, both known Meiji artist who worked in bronze.
a smoothly polished blackish bronze and the rat is cast from
copper bronze, and naturalistically carved with large eyes and
LENGTH 12.5 cm (the largest)
alert ears. Signed to the base HIDEAKI saku.
WEIGHT 409.1 grams (total weight)
LENGTH 23.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with some wear, mostly to base of feet, and very minor traces
WEIGHT 2172.3 grams
of use. The patina has grown into a deep bronze color with hues of copper-red and an
unctuous finish.
Condition: Excellent condition with extremely minor surface wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Provenance: French private collection.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 600,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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