12 Cyclical Animals Censer

JAPANESE 1960's

A Genuine 1960's Takaoka copper bronze Koro ( censer).

A magnificent rare censer, standing on three feet.
The body with 12 vertical panels set against a textured background bordered in silver metal, each portraying one of the 12 cyclical animals in gilt metal.
The cover with open scrolling on which sits a young boy playing a flute.

This superb large censer cast using the lost wax method.

Signed under the main body: Shoen. It is also marked with " 5" under the signature. Noting that this censer is Number 5 of a very limited edition by the artist, making it very rare.

Condition: Excellent. No damage. No repairs.

Refer Large Images for details, quality and condition, they also form the description.
Depending on your computer monitor / phone / etc colour may vary to actual.

Dimensions are maximum measurements

Height About: 25 cm
Width About: 17.5 cm
Weight About: 2.8. kgs

A$2500

The 12 animals in the Japanese zodiac
The order of the animals in twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac is said to derive from an ancient Chinese lore.
The order is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

Takaoka Copperware
The history of Takaoka copperware began in 1609 when the second lord of the Kaga domain, Maeda Toshinaga, founded the town of Takaoka. He invited seven copper craftsmen from the western metalworkers' district in Tonami village to come to Takaoka and gave them special protections.
This was the beginning of the metalworkers' district, Kanayamachi, in Takaoka.