Page 52 - 2021 March 16th Japanese and Korean Art, Christie's New York City

32 AN IRON ARTICULATED SCULPTURE OF AN EAGLE

EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), SIGNED MYOCHIN KI MUNEAKI KORE SAKU (MADE
BY MYOCHIN MUNEAKI)
The iron eagle perched on rock stand,
constructed of numerous hammered plates
jointed inside the body, the beak opens,
the neck, wings and claws move, the eyes
embellished with gilt, the details of feathers
finely chiseled, the incised signature on
underside of tail feather
31Ω in. (80 cm.) wide
13¡ in. (34 cm.) high without stand; 24¡ in. (61.9 cm.) high with stand

$40,000-60,000

PROVENANCE:
Acquired from José Antonio Torres, Barcelona circa 1971

Ingenious movable sculptures of animals are the
invention of Japanese metalsmiths trained in the
manufacture of samurai armor. The Myochin family of
armorers is credited with the first sculptures of this
type in the eighteenth century. In relative peacetime,
the demand for arms and armor, except for display
purposes, had slowed. To meet the changes in demand,
the Myochin expanded their repertoire into metalwork
of a decorative and symbolic nature. Some see these
articulated models as the culmination of the armorer’s
skill and imagination. Known as jizai okimono, literally
“free display objects”, these intricate sculptures are a
unique genre of Japanese sculptural art.

The restoration of the Japanese emperor in 1868 and the
dismantling of the samurai domains further impacted
the tradition of metalwork in place by the fifteenth
century. Rapid industrialization and Japan’s decision to Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850). Hawk Made of Silk; Specialities of Karakiya in
Kokucho. Japan. Edo period, 19th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929, JP 2385
compete economically on a world scale encouraged new
artists and ateliers who had not trained in the Myochin
school. There are several Myochin family artists with
the name Muneaki. The style of the work and signature
suggest this work maybe the work by Myochin Muneaki
from late Edo period who was descendant of Myochin
Family retained for the Sakai Family of Himeji Province.