Live Auction 2579Japanese & Korean Art
A bronze ornament (okimono) of two carp in a stream
Lot 132

A bronze ornament (okimono) of two carp in a stream

TAISHO PERIOD (EARLY 20TH CENTURY), SIGNED YAMAKAWA KOJI SAKU ON AN INLAID SILVER RESERVE ON THE WOOD STAND (YAMAKAWA KOJI II; 1860-1930)

Closed11 September 2012

Price Realised

USD 52,500

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A bronze ornament (okimono) of two carp in a stream
Taisho period (early 20th century), signed Yamakawa Koji saku on an inlaid silver reserve on the wood stand (Yamakawa Koji II; 1860-1930)
Cast in silver as two swimming carp in a swirling and splashing stream, both carp finely finished with greenish patina, the eyes of carp inlaid with gilt shakudo, details incised, signature on stand
16in. (40.6cm.) long
With original wood box titled Nami ni eiri okimono (ornament with carp and stream) and signed and dated Taisho san nen (1914) Yamakawa Koji saku and sealed Koji

Specialist note

A preparatory drawing for a bronze okimono of cockerels and drum by Yamakawa Koji II has the same seal as the one on the box of this sculpture (see Kaga zogan Yamakawa Koji sandaiten sakuhinshu [Kaga zogan inlay: Masterworks of Yamakawa Koji I, II and III], Tokyo: Soukeikai Foundation, 1995, p. 30). There is also a preparatory drawing for the okimono of two carps (p. 25): see the illustration to the right. The celebrated Yamakawa family of metal artists began with Koji I (1828-1882), who worked in a metal worshop in Kanazawa and on commissions for the imperial house. The Yamakawa line ended with the death of Koji III, also an accomplished master of inlay work, in 1938.