A SUPERB SHAKUDO OKIMONO DEPICTING AN AUTUMNAL SCENE OF A CROW WITH MAPLE LEAVES Japan, c. 1900, Meiji period (1868-1912) Naturalistically modeled as a karasu (crow) perched on a rock, formed from a section of rootwood, its beak holding a maple leaf, the rootwood base with further silver-inlaid fallen maple leaves, the gold and shakudo eyes staring in the distance, the plumage very finely incised. HEIGHT 19 cm WEIGHT 1,194 g Condition: Very good condition, minor wear. The base with a fine, smooth polish. Provenance: British collection. Meiji metalwork depicting crows is to be considered rare, with only few examples recorded in literature and public collections. In Japan, the crow is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered the divine messenger of good omens. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related shakudo model of a crow by Masatsune, illustrated in The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art - Treasures of Imperial Japan, Metalwork Part II, 1995, no. 104. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer`s premium – only for buyers within the EU.