A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE IRON JIZAI OKIMONO OF A HAWK

A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE IRON JIZAI OKIMONO OF A HAWK
Japan, late 19
th
century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Naturalistically rendered, the eyes inlaid in gilt with black pupils, the predatory bird perched in a portrait-like pose, the leg joints, wings, beak, and tail meticulously crafted from numerous movable segments.
LENGTH 30 cm, HEIGHT 26 cm
WEIGHT 1,234 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, some expected age-related stiffness to the joints.
The art of creating lifelike figures of animals in metal, known as jizai okimono, which developed during the Edo period, is an example of outstanding Japanese craftsmanship. Meticulously constructed with hammered plates of iron, these articulated figures were greatly sought after for decorative use. They were placed in alcoves alongside pieces of porcelain, pottery and hanging scrolls, and were the object of entertainment and discussion. Popular subjects for jizai okimono included insects, fish, crustaceans, and even dragons.
Jizai okimono depicting birds are extremely rare.
Literature comparison:
Compare with an articulated hawk by Myochin Kiyoharu in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated by Ito Yoshiaki et al., in the NHK Exhibition Catalogue, Commemorating the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan Arts of the East and West from World Expositions, 1855-1900, Paris, Vienna and Chicago, 2004, p. 080, no. I-191; and another articulated iron hawk (unsigned), in a private collection in France, illustrated by Harada Kazutoshi, ibid., p. 058, no. 19.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related kusshin jizai okimono model of a hawk, attributed to Itao Shinjiro, dated circa 1894, 29 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 16 May 2013, London, lot 563 (
sold for 121,250 GBP
). Compare to a closely related iron jizai okimono of a hawk, measuring 23 cm, sold at Woolley & Wallis, Japanese Works of Art, 27 July 2021, Salisbury, lot 358 (
sold for 43,000 GBP
).
13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.