An impressive parcel-gilt bronze ornament
Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Miyao seizo (workshop of Miyao Eisuke)
Designed in two colors of bronze and gilt with the figure of Momotaro standing in a frontal pose on top of a defeated comical demon and lifting another demon wrapped around a large torch draped with a scarf of auspicious images, the figure of Momotaro wearing a jacket and armor underneath, his swords worn at his waist, the details embellished with gilt, the signature on right thigh of Momotaro, on a wood base with four bracket feet decorated in gold hiramaki-e with stylized phoenixes and scrolling foliage
26½in. (67.3cm.) high

Provenance
From a Private Collection

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Lot Essay

In Japanese mythology, Momotaro is a boy born from a peach and lovingly raised by an elderly couple. When he grew up, he set off for the island of demons to exterminate those that often bothered the local villagers. En route, he made companions of a monkey, a dog and a pheasant to support him against his foes. After dispensing with the demons, Momotaro returned to his village with treasures taken from the island.