Japanese Bronze Samurai Urn with Relief Monkey and Iris Panels

Stunning Japanese Meiji period bronze lidded urn, by Nogawa,…
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Stunning Japanese Meiji period bronze lidded urn, by Nogawa, the slightly domed cover set with large finial in the form of a samurai warrior brandishing a naginata, set above a quatrefoil form body, each decorated with a panel in relief depicting a monkey, iris bud, iris in bloom and a branch, below a short waisted neck set with four mythical creatures, raised on four fish form legs, with gilt accents, signed to base, height 31 cm, together with a large carved wooden stand, height 43 cm (including stand)

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  • Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.

    Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins.
  • Quatrefoil - A stylised four-circle design, itself contained within a larger circle, with Gothic origins and often seen as window designs in ecclesiastical architecture. The use of the motif was popular in Gothic Revival furniture of the 19th century.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.

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