GENRYUSAI SEIYA: A VERY LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE BRONZE OKIMONO OF AN EAGLEBy Genryusai Seiya, signed Genryusai Seiya zoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Superbly cast, the majestic eagle perched on a separately cast rocky outcrop above swirling and crashing waves, the smooth water and roughly textured rock creating a striking contrast, the eagle with intricately incised plumage, the wings spread out as the bird is about to take flight, its eyes in shakudo with gilt-ringed pupils, the strong beak elegantly curved, signed underneath within a square reserve GENRYUSAI SEIYA zo [Made by Genryusai Seiya].HEIGHT 83.7 cm (incl. base), WIDTH 93.7 cm (the wingspan)WEIGHT 36.7 kgCondition: Very good condition, minor wear and casting flaws as are to be expected. Provenance: Austrian private collection.Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman in charge of a workshop specializing in export wares of the highest quality. Production included human genre figures, vases and exotic bronze models of animals probably influenced by the opening of Tokyo Zoological Gardens in 1882. The present piece is a brilliant example of Seiya’s naturalistic bronzes.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related bronze model of an eagle by Genryusai Seiya, 92.2 cm wide, with a gnarled wood stand as opposed to the bronze base of the present lot, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 22 March 2001, lot 226 (sold for 17,625 USD).