Shoun - Burner - Bronze

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Estimate  € 300 - € 380
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Bronze koro incense burner from Japan, signed by Shoun, cast in karakane using lost-wax method, 27.3 cm high, 18 cm wide and 18 cm deep, weight 3.694 kg, with Three Friends of Winter motif, taotie handles, chrysanthemum finial, and a textured ground pattern; good condition with age-related wear.

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Description from the seller

Item Description
This substantial bronze incense burner (koro) is signed by the Japanese metalwork artist 照雲 Shoun and was produced using the traditional lost-wax casting method (rogata) in karakane, a bronze alloy long favoured for fine Japanese metalwork. The rounded, drum-shaped body rests on three branch-form legs and is decorated in high relief with the "Three Friends of Winter" - pine, bamboo, and plum blossom - depicted as naturalistic branches climbing up from the base across the surface of the vessel.

The shoulder is flanked by a pair of scrolling taotie (mythical mask) handles, while the domed lid is crowned with a finial modelled as a chrysanthemum blossom with an accompanying leafy branch. The main body carries an overall fine textured ground pattern echoing archaic Chinese bronze vessel design, adding depth and richness to the surface beneath the pictorial motifs.

The underside of the piece bears an impressed seal mark reading "Shoun," confirming attribution to this metalwork artist. This is a substantial and well-detailed decorative object, suitable as a display piece for a collector of Japanese bronzes or East Asian works of art.

Size
Height: 27.3 cm
Width: 18 cm

Weight
3694 g / 3.694 kg

Condition
The bronze shows overall surface wear and patina consistent with age and past use, including light scuffs and time-toning to the metal surface. No major damage, cracks, or losses were observed on visual inspection; please refer closely to the accompanying photographs, which form part of the condition description.

Additional Information
Material: karakane (bronze alloy), lost-wax cast (rogata)
Origin: Japan
Signature: impressed seal mark reading "Shoun" to the underside

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Item Description
This substantial bronze incense burner (koro) is signed by the Japanese metalwork artist 照雲 Shoun and was produced using the traditional lost-wax casting method (rogata) in karakane, a bronze alloy long favoured for fine Japanese metalwork. The rounded, drum-shaped body rests on three branch-form legs and is decorated in high relief with the "Three Friends of Winter" - pine, bamboo, and plum blossom - depicted as naturalistic branches climbing up from the base across the surface of the vessel.

The shoulder is flanked by a pair of scrolling taotie (mythical mask) handles, while the domed lid is crowned with a finial modelled as a chrysanthemum blossom with an accompanying leafy branch. The main body carries an overall fine textured ground pattern echoing archaic Chinese bronze vessel design, adding depth and richness to the surface beneath the pictorial motifs.

The underside of the piece bears an impressed seal mark reading "Shoun," confirming attribution to this metalwork artist. This is a substantial and well-detailed decorative object, suitable as a display piece for a collector of Japanese bronzes or East Asian works of art.

Size
Height: 27.3 cm
Width: 18 cm

Weight
3694 g / 3.694 kg

Condition
The bronze shows overall surface wear and patina consistent with age and past use, including light scuffs and time-toning to the metal surface. No major damage, cracks, or losses were observed on visual inspection; please refer closely to the accompanying photographs, which form part of the condition description.

Additional Information
Material: karakane (bronze alloy), lost-wax cast (rogata)
Origin: Japan
Signature: impressed seal mark reading "Shoun" to the underside

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Details

Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Style
Antique
Material
Bronze
Country of origin
Japan
Designer/artist/maker
Shoun
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
27.3 cm
Width
18 cm
Depth
18 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
JapanVerified
5298
Objects sold
98.61%
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