Raro Vaso Ikebana o Bruciaincenso (Koro) in Bronzo – Falco su Ramo – Giappone, stile Meiji - Sculpture Bronze - Asia

Raro Vaso Ikebana / Bruciaincenso (Koro) in Bronzo – Falco su Ramo – Giappone, Meiji

Elegant and vigorous Japanese bronze sculpture with a patinated finish, substantial in weight and presence, depicting a falcon (Taka), a historic symbol of strength, pride, and military status in Japanese tradition. The animal is superbly modeled as it perches on a gnarled, naturalistic tree trunk. The piece was created with a dual function in mind, both decorative and practical: the opening on the back originally allowed space for refined floral arrangements (Ikebana) or use as an incense burner (Koro), letting aromatic fumes flow from the creature’s body.

According to multiple antique dealers, the object is fully attributable to the Meiji Period, a golden era for Japanese metallurgy and artistic fusion. With the abolition of the samurai caste and the right to bear swords, master artisans redirected their extraordinary skills to creating decorative art objects for export (Okimono and vases) destined for the West, then captivated by Japonism. The quality of this fusion is evident in the meticulous naturalistic rendering: the plumage on the chest and wings is individually chased with great precision, giving dynamism and a strong sense of realism. The wings and body of the bird are crafted from a refined single piece of alloy casting, a testament to the high technical skill of the workshop. The trunk: the base is not a mere support but features rich plastic and tactile decoration that faithfully imitates the knobby tree bark, creating a wonderful organic contrast with the clean lines of the raptor.

Dimensions: Height 28 cm | Width 16.5 cm | Depth 13 cm. Weight: over 2 kg (an indication of a solid bronze casting with excellent thickness). No visible punches or signatures, a practice sometimes common at the time for pieces intended for large commercial exhibitions or left unmarked to preserve the harmony of the ancient patina. Late 19th to early 20th century, fully consistent in weight, alloys used, and execution style. Excellent state of conservation. The piece bears a splendid dark patina original to the 1800s, perfectly stable and never artificially polished. Only minute and normal signs of aging are noted, attesting to its authenticity and history.

The lot will be packed with maximum care using protective materials. Shipping will be entrusted to a well-known international express courier, fully traceable via Tracking Number and insured for the total hammer price, ensuring maximum security and transparency up to delivery.