MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED TOMOTOSHI WITH CURSIVE MONOGRAM (KAO) (HIRANO UNOKICHI; 1831-1889)

Details

AN IRON PANEL OF BUNSHOSEI (THE STAR DEMON)
MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED TOMOTOSHI WITH CURSIVE MONOGRAM (KAO) (HIRANO UNOKICHI; 1831-1889)
The rectangular iron panel decorated with polychrome patinated mixed metal parts as Bunshosei (the Star Demon; Kaisei) holding a brush and ink stone looking out to a tou (measurement vessel) against a lacquered ishimeji (stone imitation) ground, the body chains decorated with green and white stones; signatures in gilt parts attached to lower right
43 ¾ x 27 1/8 in. (111.1 x 68.9 cm.)

Provenance

Hans-Joachin Eschbaum

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Korean Art

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

The prominent Mito School metalwork artist, Hirano Unokichi (1831-1889) was born in Mito and later moved to Yokohama and Edo. He was known for producing sword fittings mainly for the export market. Although little is known about this artist, this work shows the skillful techiniques of the artist using various type of colorful soft metals.

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