By Kato Tatsuo, singed TatsuoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The pear-shaped bronze vase with a fine red-mottled patina and a slender cylindrical neck. A naturalistically cast frog is shown climbing up on one side. Signed underneath TATSUO.HEIGHT 25.5 cmWEIGHT 701 gCondition: Very good condition, minor surface wear, a small dent to the foot ring.Provenance: British private collection, purchased from Gregg Baker Ltd. (label to base).Kato Tatsuo was a pupil of Oshima Joun (1858-1940) and is perhaps best known for his bronze okimono depicting tortoises.Auction comparison:For another bronze okimono by this artist see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2011, London, lot 386 (sold for 5,250 GBP).