Kōro de caqui y abeja de bronce fundido, período Meiji, quemador de incienso japonés figurativo para exhibición en la ceremonia del té

A ripe persimmon, softly rounded in cast bronze, with a delicately modeled bee alighting on its lid. This Meiji-period kōro embodies the late nineteenth-century Japanese delight in natural symbolism rendered through refined metalwork, balancing whimsy and symbolic literacy in the manner prized by literati and tea practitioners.

The Piece

This Meiji-period incense burner is cast in the sculptural form of a ripe persimmon surmounted by a delicately modeled bee, a pairing that reflects the late nineteenth-century Japanese fascination with natural symbolism rendered through metalwork of high technical refinement.

The persimmon is softly rounded and volumetric, its surface showing a naturally matured bronze patina with a tonal depth that speaks to both age and careful alloy control. The removable lid integrates seamlessly into the fruit's contour, while the bee finial serves as both visual focal point and a subtle vent for incense smoke.

In Japanese iconography the persimmon is associated with longevity, seasonal abundance and the quiet fulfillment of autumn, while the bee symbolizes diligence, prosperity and harmonious industry. Together the motifs convey a restrained but auspicious message suited to tea ceremony settings and cultured interior display.

During the Meiji period, figural incense burners of this kind were favored by literati, tea practitioners and collectors who appreciated objects that balanced whimsy with symbolic literacy. This example reflects that taste, combining technical competence with narrative charm, and suits collectors of Meiji decorative arts, tea ceremony implements and sculptural Japanese bronzes.

Details

• Era: Meiji period (1868–1912); classified as antique
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Cast bronze
• Color: Dark bronze brown with natural patina
• Measurements: Approx. 14 × 14.5 × 14.5 cm (estimated)
• Form: Persimmon-form body with removable lid; bee finial doubling as smoke vent

Condition

• Very good for age (condition rank: Very Good).
• Only minor surface wear and patina variation, consistent with careful historical handling.
• No structural damage or repairs observed on visual inspection.

Authenticity & Care

Attribution to the Meiji period rests on stylistic analysis and construction methods; no signature or workshop mark is present. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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