ATTRIBUTED TO THE MIYAO EISUKEPANY OF YOKOHAMAAn Impressive Fine and Large Gilt-BronzeKoro (Incense Burner) and Cover on StandMeiji era (1868-1912), late 19th centuryThe rectangular body applied with two elaborate handles in the form of two three-clawed dragons, inset with two lobed panels, decorated in gold,shakudo, and bronzetakazogan with a moonlit view of Noji in Omi Province (present day Shiga Prefecture) and the poet Minamoto no Toshiyori on horseback apanied by his retinue, thehagi (bush clover), celebrated in a famous verse by Toshiyori, growing on the bank of a river, the reverse with a leaping carp in a stream beside irises with birds in flight above, the neck with dragons among clouds chasing atama (jewel), the body of the vessel raised on four tall stylised mythological creature-head legs, the domed cover surmounted by a finial in the form of a bearded immortal standing slightly to the left and leaning into a gust of wind which has blown the enormous wide-brimmed straw hat from his head, holding the cords of his hat in one hand and a crooked cane in the other, areishi fungus, a gourd, and a feather fan suspended from his waist, his robes fluttering, the surface carved in fine detail with peony amongkarakusa ('Chinese grasses') decorating the robes, the figure itself affixed to a square rounded stand, the remainder of the vessel embellished in goldhonzogan with dragons andho-o birds in flight amidst scrolling tendrils, foliage, and paulownia;unsigned.72.5cm (28½in) high. (3).Provenance: The Miyaopany, owned and managed by Miyao Eisuke of Yokohama, was among the most successful art workshops of the Meiji era, specialising in mostly large-scale bronze and gilt images of warriors and mythological subjects. Much of thepany's production was aimed at the export market and its wares were exhibited at theKangyo Hakurankai (National Industrial Expositions) in 1881 and 1890.