Authentic Tsuru-doro – Japanese Bronze Temple Lantern (ca. 1875)
A museum-quality example of a hexagonal hanging lantern. This object embodies the superior metalwork of the early Meiji period, an era in which Japanese bronze gained worldwide fame.
Product details
| Aging: |
approx. 150 years (Early Meiji period) |
| Material: |
Heavily patinated bronze |
| Dimensions: |
H 33.8 cm | W 26.0 cm | D 26.5 cm |
| Weight: |
1600 grams |
Forensic Analysis & Expertise
This object is a guaranteed original piece from the second half of the 19th century. The hexagonal structure is constructed from individual panels, connected with traditional rivets and joints. The honeycomb grid (Kumiko) is not only decorative but served to refract the candlelight and create a sacred spectacle of shadows in a Buddhist temple.
The pedestals and the roof feature deeply engraved cloud and lotus motifs. The patina has penetrated deep into the metal through decades of ritual use, giving the lantern an unmistakable "Wabi-Sabi" aesthetic.
Valuation
Due to the exceptional age of 150 years and the complete condition of the bronze work, the replacement value of this object is appraised at € 1,250 – € 1,500.
