Physical description

Wrought iron figure of a sea eagle with removable wide-spread wings, standing on a tall bronze rock.

Place of Origin

Japan (made)

Date

1695 (dated)

Artist/maker

Myochin, Munesuke (makers)

Materials and Techniques

Wrought iron and bronze

Marks and inscriptions

'Miochin Munesuke'
Signed on tang of left wing.

'Genroku XIII'
Dated on tang of right wing, 1695 A.D.

Dimensions

Height: 182.5 cm approx., Width: 145 cm approx.

Descriptive line

Hammered iron figure of a sea eagle with removable wide-spread wings and a flexible neck in the style known as jizai; the eagle stands on a hammered iron rock. The tangs of the wings are signed 明珍宗介 'Myochin Munesuke', and dated 'Genroku 8' (1695). This date is, however, spurious and the whole object was probably made in the period 1865-1885.

Myochin Munesuke was the (alleged) 54th head of the Myochin school and attributions to this maker were typical of the historicism which was prevalent in late 19th century Japan where, despite or indeed because of, the rush to 'modernise' also created a wish to return to quuualities attributed to the great makers of the past.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Hull-Grundy, A. Japanese Articulated Iron Animals. Oriental Art. 1958, IV, No.4. fig.1.

Labels and date

SEA EAGLE
Wrought iron and bronze
Japan; 1695
M.612-1911

Figure of a sea eagle standing with removable wide-spread wings on a tall bronze rock (of recent make). Signed on tang of left wing 'Miochin Munesuke' - XXIVth master of Miochin school - and dated on tang of right wing 'Genroku XIII' (1695 A.D.), fifth month, lucky day. [07/1994]

Materials

Wrought iron; Bronze

Techniques

Forging (metal forming)

Subjects depicted

Eagles (birds); Rock

Categories

Metalwork; Ironwork; Sculpture; Animals and Wildlife

Collection

East Asia Collection