Page 33 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

16 | A SPECTACULAR AND MASSIVE PARCEL GILT
BRONZE FIGURE OF TOBA SEATED ON A MULE HEIGHT total 60 cm, LENGTH 52 cm
WEIGHT total 17 kg, Toba 6.3 kg, mule and plinth 10.7 kg
Attributed to the Miyao company of Yokohama
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Condition: Very good original condition with associated wear.
Provenance: British collection.
The exceptionally large bronze cast in three parts depicting Toba AUCTION COMPARISON
(Su Shi) seated on his mule, the animal standing on a rocky plinth.
The mule is naturalistically crafted, the eyes are gilt with black pupils A related bronze, though
and the mane is carved precisely. It wears a saddle cloth with a considerably smaller, was sold by
finely gilt coiling dragon on each side. The removable massively cast Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 May
figure of Toba is worked with masterful detail, his robe is adorned 2011, London, lot 149
with gold-inlaid patterns and his long beard and bushy eyebrows (sold for 21,600 GBP).
are minutely incised. His expression is exceptionally well-crafted.
Toba holds a nyoi-sceptre in one hand and the reins attached to Estimate EUR 20,000
the mule in the other. Starting price EUR 10,000

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