MASATSUNE: A SUPERB AND LARGE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A HAWK ON ROOTWOOD BASEBy Masatsune, signed Masatsune chuJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The majestic bird superbly cast with neatly detailed plumage, its wings folded back and its body leaning forwards, the details picked out in gilt and shakudo, the bird set on a large and naturalistically carved root wood base. Signed within a rectangular reserve underneath MASATSUNE chu [made by Masatsune]. The artist was particularly well known for the quality of his productions of birds.HEIGHT total 82 cm, HEIGHT hawk 28 cm, LENGTH hawk 40 cmWEIGHT hawk 6,956 gCondition: Good condition with minor casting irregularities, few tiny nicks, light surface scratches. The right leg has been restored.Provenance: From an old French private collection.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related bronze okimono of a hawk depicted in a similar position, by Masatsune and set on a lacquered wood perch, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, including the Crawford Collection of Surimono, 22 September 2021, New York, lot 1055 (sold for 16,562 USD). Also compare another closely related model of an eagle depicted in a similar position, by Masatsune and set on a bronze base, at Christie's, The Meiji Aesthetic: Selected Masterpieces from a Private Asian Collection, 27 November 2018, Hong Kong, lot 3841 (sold for 275,000 HKD).