A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL PARCEL-GILT SILVER KORO (INCENSE BURNER) IN THE FORM OF A SUISEI Japan, c. 1870, early Meiji period (1868-1912) Superbly cast, the two-horned beast standing proudly with one front leg slightly raised, its fur with neatly incised whorls, the scrolling mane and bushy tail also finely incised, the horns, eyes, fangs, whiskers, and flames are gilt, the pupils in shakudo, the pierced cover cast in the form of the beast`s characteristic carapace, incised with a dating inscription in English, `Jan. 1st 1870`. LENGTH 19.7 cm, HEIGHT 16.8 cm WEIGHT 584 g Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and traces of use, the tail probably separately cast. Provenance: British collection. The suisei is a rarely depicted mythical beast with much the same appearance as a kirin, with the exception of a tortoise carapace on its back. Auction comparison: Compare a related silver koro in the form of a duck, signed Tsuneaki, dated late 19th century, Meiji period, at Christie`s, 8 December 2016, London, lot 117 ( sold for 18,750 GBP ). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer`s premium – only for buyers within the EU.