JAPON, Epoque Meiji Lot n° 20

Elegant raptor in patinated bronze presenting a golden eagle, body leaning forward, eyes in gold and silver shakudo, eyes sharpened in search of prey, wings backwards partially spread, ready for flight. The plumage is finely chiseled, the talons firmly inked on a large gnarled wooden base. The work is signed Masatsune Chū (政常鋳, "made by Masatsune"), in a cartouche below the body of the bird. This life-size model is striking in its quality of rendering, done in an extremely naturalistic manner. The artist Masatsune was particularly well known for the quality of his productions of birds, which were particularly appreciated by foreign customers living in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912). For a similar model made with silver plumage, see Christie's sale, November 27, 2018 in Hong Kong, lot 3841, another model by the artist, depicting a hawk on a lacquered wooden perch, presented by Bonhams, September 22, 2021 in New York, lot 1055. Total height: 82 cm (the eagle: H. 28 cm, L. 40 cm)