Japanese bronze eagle signed Masatsune Meiji period

Japanese bronze eagle with silvered body naturalistically modelled ready to take flight with the beak, eyes and claws inlaid in shakudo and gilt.The feather work finely carved and engraved perched on a rood wood base signed in a rectangular reserve plaque Masatsune chū 政常鋳, Meiji period (1868-1912).

The artist Masatsune 政常 was very accomplished in birds subjects.

The eagle (washi 鷲) is a spectacular bird symbol of majesty and power, and shares much of the symbolism with the hawk.They were popular subjects in sculpture, paintings, scrolls and screens, and became emblems of the Japanese warrior class.

Reference:
For other bronze birds by this artist see: 'The Golden Age of Japanese Okimono, the Dr. Kanter Collection', by Laura Bordignon, ACC Woodbridge 2010, Metalwork, no. 248.

Also see 'Meiji no Takara 明治の宝 Treasures of Imperial Japan, the D. Khalili Collection', the Kibo Foundation 1995, Metalwork part II, no. 104-105.

Eagle dimensions without the rootwood base:
H 30cm (11.81" inches) x W 66cm (25.98" inches)

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