25 - † RYUSAI: A LARGE AND RARE BRONZE ‘LIZARDS PREYING ON A FROG’ VASE

† RYUSAI: A LARGE AND RARE BRONZE ‘LIZARDS PREYING ON A FROG’ VASE By Ryusai, signed Ryusai zo Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely cast, the globular body rising to a tall cylindrical neck with a flaring mouth, the surface patinated to a lustrous black tone. The vase is adorned with two remarkably naturalistic lizards, their slender bodies sinuously encircling the neck and extending across the rounded shoulder, finely detailed with textured scales, delicately articulated limbs, and golden eyes. One lizard clings to the upper neck, its head turned downward, while the other coils around the neck and sprawls across the shoulder, both directing their attention toward an ill-fated frog perched on the opposite side of the vessel. The base signed within a rectangular reserve RYUSAI zo [made by Ryusai]. HEIGHT 42.8 cm WEIGHT 6.9 kg Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. The depiction of lizards is rare in Japanese bronze art of the Meiji period. The present vase is particularly accomplished in its lively composition, with the two reptiles cleverly arranged around the neck and shoulder, their attention focused on the unsuspecting frog. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related bronze vase also with two lizards in the Groninger Museum, Groningen, the Netherlands, object number 2019.1516. Auction comparison: Compare a related bronze vase with a similar design, by Akichika, 26.7 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese & Korean Art including Arts of the Meiji Period, 15 September 2010, New York, lot 618 (sold for USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.