Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this piece to the 1880s.
The koro stands proudly on four decorative gilt overlaid legs supporting the mammoth body which consists mainly of four large overlaid mixed metal panels depicting a Samurai warrior on his ship with bow drawn , cranes in flight sending messages ,possibly the emporer and his attendant and an Oni !

It looks to be telling a story of the emperor using the cranes to send notes out to the ship where standing is the Samurai with his bow drawn ready for action , the Oni has been summoned and appears out of the swirling smoke on the panel and then sword drawn onto the pierced lid in anticiapation , the detail on the rest of the body is of swirling smoke inset with beasts eyes and claws highlighted in mixed metals , the quality of the oni on the lid is fabulous , if he were on his own wooden base he would command a high price , the whole thing surmounted by a pair of winged creatures(possibly dreamcatchers) as handles.
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Approximate sizes
Height 18.5" - 47CM
Width 17.5" - 44.5CM
Depth 12" - 30.5CM
Worldwide delivery available ,please note it is very heavy , serious enquiries always welcome.
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Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this piece to the 1880s.
Specialists in japanese works of art from the meiji period 1868-1912
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