Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The incense burner consisting of several separately cast parts and standing on three feet shaped as mythical beast heads with gilt eyes. The revolving body features two lobed reserves on either side, finely worked with gold and silver inlays, depicting on one side butterflies and blossoming peony, and on the other two karako practicing calligraphy, a vase with a branch of plum (ume) behind them. The handles are shaped as rats clambering over a leafy radish (daikon) and the open-worked handle is surmounted by a kirin finial.HEIGHT 31 cmWEIGHT 2.5 kgCondition: Good overall condition with some surface wear as visible on the images provided.Provenance: Hungarian private collection.