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JAPAN, Meiji period Rare okimono, Genryusai Seiya
An importa…
See original version (French)
4 - 2
-
JAPAN, Meiji period Rare okimono, Genryusai Seiya
An importa…
See original version (French)
Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
Voluntary lot
Description
JAPAN, Meiji period
Rare okimono, Genryusai Seiya
An important brown patina and partially gilded bronze depicting a bird of prey, probably an eagle, perched on a carved light wood monoxyle tree trunk. The bird, captured in an observant pose, partially spreads its wings and shows remarkable chiselling of the plumage, treated with great attention to naturalistic detail. The powerful talons firmly grip the support, while the precise modelling of the head and beak reinforce the expressive intensity of the composition, as does the use of gold for the eyes. Signed "Seiya chū" (誠谷鋳) in a cartouche below the tail.
Total height: 43 cm
Depth: 27 cm
From the second half of the 19th century onwards, representations of eagles became very popular with Western collectors. Rather than depicting Japanese species, artists favoured large birds of prey that were more familiar to European and North American tastes, thus contributing to the boom in Japanese export art during the Meiji era.
Genryūsai Seiya established himself as one of the most important bronzemakers of this period in the field of animal sculpture. His workshops, renowned for the exceptional quality of their casting and chasing, became among the leading producers of large bronzes for export. The contrast between the dark patina of the bronze and the organic forms of the monoxyle wooden base reinforces the plastic power and realism of the composition.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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