As part of our Japanese works of art exhibition we are delighted to offer this large mid Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze and mixed metal incense burner ( Koro), stemming from the Takaoka school of artists during the 1870/80''s period of production. The Takaoka school metalworkers were based in Ishikawa Prefecture excelling in the inlaid techniques of Iro-e takazogan & Honzogan ( high and low relief). This handsome globular koro rises from three slender legs terminating as mythical beasts each providing support to the sumptuously decorated vessel, the bowl of which has been lavishly worked with opposing pairs of stylized birds predominantly formed from shibuichi minutely inlaid with gold scale decoration to an exceptional standard, other alloys including gold, silver and copper are used to continue the stylised decoration surrounding the main theme. Unusually there is the added element of abalone shell, used not only as decorative fish scale panels but also as the mythical birds claws, ...