13th Jun, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
20
SEIYA: A SUPERB SHAKUDO OKIMONO OF A CROW ON A BRONZE TREE STUMP
€4,000
€8,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
By Genryusai Seiya, signed Seiya chu
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Cast in two sections, naturalistically modeled as a crow (karasu) perched on the stump of a weeping willow exquisitely detailed with hanging branches trailing below, the bird with lowered head, round eyes with gilt-ringed pupils, and sharp claws, the wings and plumage richly incised. Signed at the tree trunk within a rectangular cartouche SEIYA chu [cast by Seiya].
HEIGHT 34.1 cm
WEIGHT 4,268 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities, few minuscule nicks, the base with light scratches.
Meiji metalwork depicting crows is to be considered rare, with only few examples recorded in literature and public collections. In Japan, the crow is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered the divine messenger of good omens. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato.
Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman in charge of a workshop specializing in export wares of the highest quality. Production included human genre figures, vases and exotic bronze models of animals probably influenced by the opening of Tokyo Zoological Gardens in 1882. The present piece is a brilliant example of Seiya’s naturalistic bronzes.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related shakudo model of a crow by Masatsune, illustrated in The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art - Treasures of Imperial Japan, Metalwork Part II, 1995, no. 104.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related shakudo okimono of a crow, also dated to the Meiji period, 19 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022, Vienna, lot 71 (sold for EUR 7,368).
By Genryusai Seiya, signed Seiya chu
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Cast in two sections, naturalistically modeled as a crow (karasu) perched on the stump of a weeping willow exquisitely detailed with hanging branches trailing below, the bird with lowered head, round eyes with gilt-ringed pupils, and sharp claws, the wings and plumage richly incised. Signed at the tree trunk within a rectangular cartouche SEIYA chu [cast by Seiya].
HEIGHT 34.1 cm
WEIGHT 4,268 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities, few minuscule nicks, the base with light scratches.
Meiji metalwork depicting crows is to be considered rare, with only few examples recorded in literature and public collections. In Japan, the crow is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered the divine messenger of good omens. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato.
Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman in charge of a workshop specializing in export wares of the highest quality. Production included human genre figures, vases and exotic bronze models of animals probably influenced by the opening of Tokyo Zoological Gardens in 1882. The present piece is a brilliant example of Seiya’s naturalistic bronzes.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related shakudo model of a crow by Masatsune, illustrated in The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art - Treasures of Imperial Japan, Metalwork Part II, 1995, no. 104.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related shakudo okimono of a crow, also dated to the Meiji period, 19 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022, Vienna, lot 71 (sold for EUR 7,368).
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Auction: Fine Japanese Art, 13th Jun, 2025
Galerie Zacke is delighted to present Fine Japanese Art, a live auction featuring 600 lots spanning every era of Japan’s rich history.
The first 368 lots are elegantly showcased in our print catalog, curated to highlight Arts of the Samurai, Metalwork, Buddhist Art, Lacquerware, Porcelain, and Paintings & Woodblock Prints. Lots 369 to 600 are in our online catalog, dedicated to okimono, sagemono, and miniature works of art.
All 600 lots will be offered in a single continuous live auction beginning at 10 AM CET on 13 June.
We open with a dynamic selection of bronzes, metalwork, and samurai art. Notable highlights include a rare inlaid iron koro by Myochin Munenori (Lot 48), an impressive Myochin school suit of armor (Lot 108), and a superb tanto by Kunishige (Lot 120).
Our Buddhist Art section features incredible pieces such as a gilt-bronze figure of Jizo Bosatsu (Lot 150) and a large gilt-lacquered wood depiction of Kanzan and Jittoku (Lot 157).
We warmly invite you to explore the full catalog and join us live on 13 June for this exciting event. Learn more.
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