MIYAO: A PARCEL-GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF A WARRIORBy the Miyao company of Yokohama, signed Miyao with seal EiJapan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely modeled standing in a dynamic pose with one foot lunged forward, brandishing a spear (yari) above his head. The warrior is dressed in elaborately patterned robes with foliate designs, crashing waves, flying sparrows, and the musubi karigane mon (wild goose crest), and wearing typical armor. Two swords are attached to his belt. The man’s face is well detailed with bushy brows and mustache as well as intense eyes. The back of his billowing robe with a rectangular reserve signed in raised characters MIYAO with the seal EI. HEIGHT 16.7 cm (excl. stand) and 20.8 cm (incl. stand)WEIGHT 1,020 gCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, the spear with a loss to the tip.The figure is mounted on the original wood stand with gold-lacquered foliate designs.Founded by Miyao Eisuke, the Miyao Company of Yokohama (later based in Nihonbashi-ku, Tokyo, after ca. 1890) specialized in the manufacture of bronze sculptures, embellished with gold and silver as well as patinated copper alloys, that represent generic samurai warriors as well as more precisely identifiable characters from Japanese myth and legend. In addition, the company also made a smaller number of pieces in other formats such as incense burners, vases, and chargers.