East Asia, Japan, late Edo to early Meiji Period, ca. mid-19th to early 20th century CE. A fine model of an articulated crayfish bearing an impressed signature on the underside of the carapace. Each hammered copper body component, leg, and antennae are riveted to its neighbor and articulates smoothly, with only the 5 tail fins being immobile. The surfaces of the crustacean are adorned with repousse nodules and incised striations, and soft green patina accentuates the red-brown copper surface. This type of sculpture - known as "jizai okimono," or lifelike, articulates animal figures - was first created by armor smiths during a peaceful period in the 17th century when samurai armor was not in such high demand. Size (including antennae and legs): 4.625" L x 2.375" W x 2.6" H (11.7 cm x 6 cm x 6.6 cm)

Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1937,1218.1

A jizai okimono lobster, signed Kozan (Tadase Kozan, 1869-1934) with a cursive monogram (kao) hammered for $37,500 at Christie's, New York "An Inquiring Mind: American Collecting of Japanese & Korean Art" auction (sale 13641, April 25, 2017, lot 68)

Provenance: private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection

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#166772

Back leg along proper right side reattached to body via copper-colored thread. Slight bending and indentations to some legs, antennae, and body sections, with light encrustations, and softening to some repousse and incised details. All body sections, legs, and antennae articulate smoothly. Great patina throughout. Impressed signature on bottom of carapace.