SHINZUI: A BRONZE DOUBLE-GOURD-FORM VASE WITH A FROGBy Shinzui, signed ShinzuiJapan, c. 1920Well cast, the upper section of the vase decorated in high relief with a clambering frog, dynamically executed with the limbs spread out and gilt-overlay eyes, the bronze patinated to a deep, lustrous black, the countersunk base incised with the signature SHINZUI.HEIGHT 20.6 cmWEIGHT 1,022 gCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Provenance: French private collection.The artist exhibited at the Teiten (Teiten 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11) exhibitions sponsored by the Japanese government between 1921 and 1930 (Taisho 10 – Showa 5).Auction comparison: Compare a closely related vase, 13 cm high, of similar form and also with a clambering frog, signed Shiun saku, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 11 November 2010, London, lot 280 (sold for 1,320 GBP).