11 - GENRYUSAI SEIYA: A FINE AND RARE BRONZE AND ROOTWOOD OKIMONO OF A CROW ON A TREE STUMP

GENRYUSAI SEIYA: A FINE AND RARE BRONZE AND ROOTWOOD OKIMONO OF A CROW ON A TREE STUMP By Genryusai Seiya, signed Seiya chu Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely cast and naturalistically modeled as a crow (karasu) perched alertly on a separately carved gnarled rootwood stump. The bird is superbly detailed with finely textured legs and overlapping plumage, its head with an intense expression, the eyes ringed in gold, and a powerful beak. Signed between the legs within a rectangular reserve, partially effaced, SEIYA chu [cast by Seiya]. LENGTH 32.4 cm (excl. stand), HEIGHT 33.8 cm (incl. stand) WEIGHT 1.3 kg (excl. stand), 2.8 kg (incl. stand) Provenance: From a British private collection, the underside of the wood stand bearing an old collector’s label. Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear. The separately cast legs have been re-attached at some point, as is common with this type. The signature is worn. The wood stand with occasional light surface scratches and minute nicks. Meiji metalwork depicting crows is notably rare, with only a few examples recorded in literature and public collections. In Japan, the crow traditionally symbolizes gratitude and familial devotion, while the sacred Yatagarasu occupies an important place in Japanese mythology, appearing in the Kojiki as the divine guide who led Emperor Jimmu toward Yamato. Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman who headed a workshop specializing in high-quality export wares, including genre figures, vases, and naturalistic animal bronzes. His remarkably lifelike models of birds and exotic animals rank among the most characteristic productions of the workshop. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related shakudo okimono of a crow on a tree stump by the same artist, signed Seiya chu, dated to the Meiji period, 34.1 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 13 June 2025, Vienna, lot 20 (sold for EUR 5,200).