A fine Japanese two-colour patinated bronze koro, with gilt piquet work embellishments, silvered inlays and aplliques of coral and mother-of-pearl, the priced and domes cover having Kylin surmount, dragon banded insert, the two-handle bulbous body with stylised birds and foliage, on three cast legs with nose-ring mask capitols, on pieced circular base signed to the underside. Made by Ohashi Mitsuemon Yoshihashi, living in Takaoka, Ishikawa prefecture, Etchu province, Japan. 67cm H. Stamped 大日本石川県越中国 高岡住 大橋三石衛門義政造
Provenance: Gifted to the vendor by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.