MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912), SIGNED MASATSUNE CHU

Details

A JAPANESE PATINATED-BRONZE MODEL OF AN OSTRICH
MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912), SIGNED MASATSUNE CHU
On naturalistic wood base
33 ½ in. (85 cm.) high, overall

Special notice

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends. The VAT treatment will depend on whether you have registered to bid with an EU or non-EU address: If you register to bid with an address within the EU you will be invoiced under the VAT Margin Scheme. If you register to bid with an address outside of the EU you will be invoiced under standard VAT rules.

Brought to you by

Benedict Winter

BWinter@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2203

Lot Essay

This beautifully modelled ostrich has been patinated to accentuate the form and increase the realism of the sculpture. It is cast in bronze with gilding, silvering and shakudo patination.

Japanese metalworkers producing work of this quality were originally employed in the decoration of samurai swords; however during the Meiji period the swordmakers turned their skills to making purely decorative objects which explains the superb craftsmanship seen in some of these realistic sculptures.

There are several comparable models by Masatsune in the Dr. Nasser D. Khalili Collection (see The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art - Treasures of Imperial Japan, 1995).

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