Exquisite Japanese Edo (early 19thC) bronze figure, which was originally part of a large vase by Nakao Munesada (d 1835), a metal artist working in Osaka in the late Edo period. The original vase depicted two karako (Chinese children), one of which is trapped in a large jar/vat. The bronze figure on offer depicts Shiba Onko wielding a rock to break the vat to drain it and set his friend free. 11.5cm high x 10cm wide x 4.5cm deep, 0.6kg.The iconography of boys and a large jar refers to the story of Shiba Onko, a famous statesman and historian of the Han Dynasty. As a child it was said that he and his companions were watching fish in a huge jar when one of them fell in but whilst the rest of his playmates ran away leaving the child to drown, Shiba Onko used a rock to break the jar to drain out the water and set his friend free. This episode was a popular theme among Edo-period artists as a parable of virtuous behaviour.Excellent condition and patina.Height is 11.5cm (4.5inches)
Width is 10cm (3.9inches)
Depth is 4.5cm (1.8inches)