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

Rare Ikebana Vase / Incense Burner (Koro) in Bronze – Falcon on a Branch – Japan, Meiji

Elegant and vigorous Japanese bronze sculpture with patinated finish, of notable weight and substance, depicting a hawk (Taka), a historic symbol of strength, pride, and military status in Japanese tradition. The animal is superbly modeled as it perches on a gnarly, naturalistic tree trunk. The work arises with a dual value, functional and aesthetic: the opening on the back originally allowed the placement of refined floral arrangements (Ikebana) or use as an incense burner (Koro), letting aromatic fumes flow from the creature’s body.

According to information from several antique dealers, the object is fully attributable to the Meiji Period, a golden age for Japanese metallurgy and artistic fusion. With the abolition of the samurai caste and the right to carry swords, master artisans redirected their incredible craftsmanship toward creating decorative art objects for export (Okimono and vases) destined for the West, then fascinated by Japonism. The quality of this fusion is evident in the accurate naturalistic rendering: the plumage on the breast and wings is individually chased with great precision, giving dynamism and a strong sense of realism. The wings and body of the bird are formed in a refined, single-piece alloy casting, a testament to the high technical skill of the workshop. The Trunk: The base is not a simple support, but boasts rich plastic and tactile decoration that faithfully imitates the knotty bark of the tree, creating a wonderful organic contrast with the clean lines of the raptor.

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

The lot will be packed with the utmost care, using protective materials. Shipping will be entrusted to a well-known international express courier, fully trackable via Tracking Number and covered by insurance for the total winning value, ensuring maximum safety and transparency until delivery.