A LARGE AND SPECTACULAR SILVER AND GOLD INLAID KORO (INCENSE BURNER) Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The elaborate sectional body consisting of many bronze pieces. The top-section which holds the incense shows a confronting tiger and dragon on one side, and two confronting phoenixes on the other. The koro is held by a rock and sits on a four-legged stand with phoenix heads, finally the whole group stands upon an octagonal bronze base. The lid of the Koro is surmounted by a figure of Kirin. The entire bronze is worked in silver wire and inlays of rich gold and shows various fine figures of animals and clams - the bronze is also covered with many tiny inlaid barnacles. HEIGHT c. 53 cm WEIGHT 10.5 kilograms Condition: Good age-related condition, wear, some elements are loose and the Kirin figure has been reattached. Provenance: Old Austrian private collection.