609 - An exquisite and rare bronze vase depicting samurai in battle

An exquisite and rare bronze vase depicting samurai in battle Japan, signed ‘Miyao zô’, Meiji period H. 57 cm Multicoloured bronze. Two cylindrical columns of different heights, with a woodgrain finish and fine relief carving, joined by cross-braces. The decoration consists of dragons, phoenixes, floral medallions and wave and cloud motifs, with partial fire-gilding. A dynamically draped cloth wrapped around the taller column is decorated with flowers and tendrils. At the bottom, a warrior in armour with a headband, a katana and a raised naginata. At the top, on the lower column, a leaping figure in a fluttering robe, in a combative pose. The faces and hands are crafted from bronze with a reddish patina. Signed in a fire-gilded area. From an old private collection in southern Germany; in the family’s possession before 1960 Miyao Eisuke founded one of the most important bronze foundries of the Meiji period in Yokohama; after around 1890, the company appears to have been based in Tokyo (Nihonbashi). The workshop specialised in medium- to large-scale groups of figures cast in brown-patinated bronze with inlays of gold, silver and mixed metals. Typical examples include warriors, samurai, acrobats and legendary figures in dynamic poses, finely engraved, inlaid and partially gilded. The works were produced for export and were exhibited at world exhibitions - Minimal signs of age; some attributes are missing.