SEIUN: A RARE ‘DAIKOKU HAMMER’ BRONZE KORO
By Seiun, signed Seiun with kaoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Cast in the form of a Daikoku mallet on a cord with two tassels, the reticulated cover with a silvered rat sitting on top serving as the handle. The eyes of the rat are finely inlaid in bronze and details such as hair and tail are neatly incised. The convex lid is surrounded by a key fret border in deep relief and cleverly mirrored by an identical design on the underside of the hammer. The lid fits so well into the border that at first sight it looks like it cannot be removed – a real Trompe l’Oeuil! Artist signature SEIUN and kao incised to underside.HEIGHT 19 cmWEIGHT 1303.5 gramsCondition: Excellent condition with some wear and tiny scratches only.Provenance: From an English private estate.