Showa Period Gohei Dorei Cast Bronze Incense Burner with Phoenix, Waves & Mythical Beast Feet — Signed, Boxed, Japanese Masterwork

This exceptional Meiji-period style bronze incense burner represents the height of late 19th-century Japanese metal artistry, produced under the name Gohei Dorei and preserved with its original wooden tomobako. The vessel’s dignified baluster form is animated by a dynamic high-relief composition of crested waves, soaring phoenix imagery, and mythological beast feet, merging natural power with auspicious symbolism.

The surface reveals a deep, chocolate-brown patina developed through age and ritual handling, characteristic of refined Japanese bronze alloys of the Meiji era. Subtle highlights catch along the raised wave crests and plumage, revealing confident carving and controlled casting. The lid is crowned with a sculptural finial, completing the composition with sculptural authority rather than ornament alone.

Incense burners of this caliber were created not only for functional use within the tea ceremony, but also as expressions of status, taste, and cultural literacy. During the Meiji period, Japanese metalworkers refined traditional techniques while engaging an increasingly global audience, producing works that balanced classical symbolism with modern sculptural confidence.

The tomobako bears handwritten calligraphy and seal, identifying the work and preserving its provenance. Such box inscriptions are considered integral to the object, functioning as both authentication and historical record.

Today, this incense burner stands as a museum-grade example of Meiji style bronze craftsmanship, equally suited to a serious collection of Japanese art, a tea ceremony display, or scholarly study.

DIMENSIONS

Height: approx. 20.5 cm  
Width: approx. 12.5 cm  

CONDITION & NOTES

- Minor surface wear consistent with age
- Small scratches and patina variations visible
- Original wooden box present with calligraphy and seal

CURATORIAL ASSESSMENT
A highly accomplished bronze distinguished by sculptural ambition, technical execution, and commanding presence. Comparable objects are typically encountered in institutional collections or advanced private holdings rather than the open market. Its scale, weight, and sculptural complexity place it well above the level of decorative curios, positioning it instead as a serious collector’s work.

COLLECTOR RELEVANCE
Suitable for advanced Japanese metalwork collectors, dragon iconography specialists, Meiji-period style ritual object scholars, or as a singular statement piece for architectural or tokonoma display.

CONFIDENCE & VERIFICATION NOTES
Period attribution aligns with material, technique, and stylistic indicators.
No conflicting evidence observed.
Tomobako present; inscription authorship not independently verified.

Authenticity & Stewardship

Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:

• Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
• Iconographic and stylistic verification
• Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
• Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation

Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.

A Note on Stewardship and Collecting

At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.

Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.

Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration

Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.

If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.

Concierge Support & Collector Guidance

Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.

For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.

Before Proceeding

We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.

A Closing Note

Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.

If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.