Page 61 - 2021 March 16th Japanese and Korean Art, Christie's New York City
P. 61
40 A SILVER INCENSE BURNER
MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED SANO NAONOBU ZOKU AND
CURSIVE MONOGRAM
The silver incense burner in the form of a
straw rice bale tied with ropes finely cast and
chiseled, applied with three mice on top, the
center mouse opening to reveal a compartment
to burn incense, signature on the base
5¡ in. (13.7 cm.) high
With original wood box signed Sano Naonobu
zo kore
$10,000-15,000
In Japanese culture, the rice bale is often associated
with the guardian deities, Daikoku known as the primary
Wisdom Protector of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a
meditational deity. This deity is considered as protector
of farming and commerce and one of the Seven Gods
of Good Fortune. Together with the mouse representing
prosperity, this subject was regarded very auspicious
and popular during the Meiji period.
