GYOKKO: A FINE BRONZE OKIMONO OF AN EAGLE ON A ROOTWOOD STANDBy Akasofu Gyokko, signed GyokkoJapan, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely cast as a large eagle standing in a dynamic pose atop a naturalistically carved rootwood stand with attractive burls and openings. The eagle with finely incised feathers and plumage, the pupils ringed with gold, the sharp talons showing appealingly contrasting textures, the wings spread out as the eagle is about to take flight. Signed GYOKKO to the underside of the eagle.HEIGHT 25 cm (excl. base) and 65 cm (incl. base)WEIGHT 10.9 kgCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, some minor touch-ups, the wood base with natural age cracks.Provenance: From a German private collection, acquired before 2007.Akasofu Gyokko (dates unknown) lived in Tokyo, his factory producing cast metalwork for export. His given name was Sotojiro and he is recorded as a member of the Tokyo Chukinkai (Tokyo Cast Metalworkers' Association) in the second half of the Meiji era.Auction comparison:Compare a related bronze model of an eagle, sealed Seiya Chu, 55.9 cm high incl. stand, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 16 September 2003, New York, lot 344 (sold for 6,573 USD, approx. 10,069 USD today after inflation).