As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this outstanding quality solid cast silver and mixed metal Meiji Period 1868-1912 okimono by the leading artist Hasegawa Issei, (his art name Gyokutosai), a pair of Manchurian Cranes stand upon a simulated driftwood rocky outcrop in a powerful yet appealing pose, the male bird watches over the female that stoops before him, the solid silver chiseled feather work is as good as you will see on this type of okimono, the long slender legs simply peg into the base and are formed from shibuichi, a bronze alloy that is mixed with a percentage of silver, the tail feathers are carved from shakudo an alloy containing a percentage of gold and perfected by Japanese swordsmiths in the 16th century, the necks are also decorated in shakudo whilst the birds eyes are unusually formed from enamel as are the red crests upon their heads, artist signed to the underside of each bird.Provenance :2020 Vision of an enlightened ru...