A RARE BRONZE OKIMONO SIGNED MASATSUNE CHU, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

h cm 52 x l cm 55,5

Naturalistically cast and patinated, depicting an eagle with outstretched wings perched on a bronze base simulating a gnarled tree trunk, the plumage finely chased and incised, the talons highlighted with gilt details and the eyes gilt; signed Masatsune Chu (正常鋳) on a rectangular plaque applied to the plumage.

For a similar okimono bearing the same mark, see Laura Bordignon, The Golden Age of Japanese Okimono, 2010, pp. 250–251.