Bronze with gold inlays, signed by "Miyao Eisuke"Japan, 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1911)Dimensions: Height 21 cm / Wide 11 cm / Depth 8 cmWeight: 860 gramsAn "okimono" by one of the leading artists of the Meiji period, meaning "a thing to place", a decorative object so to say. A young man dressed in wide pants and jacket tied with band, all decorated with floral patterns, is standing on a removable hardwood base which is also decorated with gold. The man is a duck hunter blowing a little flute in his right hand, his head tilted to the sky with his eyes slightly open. His face seems delighted in doing so. In his left hand he is holding a rifle, ready to shoot the duck when it emerges. This piece is artist signed in an inset gilt tablet on the back of the pants.