Meiji Metalwork, ca. 1890
GUEST:
I believe I'm the third owner of it and I've had it for 25 years. And for ten years, I've been watching the ROADSHOW, wishing I could get it here to have someone tell me more about it. My friend and neighbor, who is like my second grandmother, left it to me, and it was left to her by her friend. And her husband, from what I understand, purchased it in China when he was working for the American stores in the early 1900s.
APPRAISER:
And where does it reside in your home?
GUEST:
Well, Ella had it as a plant stand and so I keep it up in my studio. I'm an artist and I have a pretty plant in it also. And I just love it.
APPRAISER:
Well, it's a wonderful gaggle of geese. And it's a Meiji piece. Probably 1890 or thereabouts. Meiji period in Japan. On the bottom, it does have a signature. I can't read the signature, but it does say "Japan," and then gives the name of the artist. And it's a cast-bronze work. And not only is it very, very fine workmanship, but the eyes on each one of these is gold wire that has been used in each eye, so it's very, very beautifully done, and that's one of the highlights of this piece. It's solid gold around each of the eyes of all of the 12 geese. And we can see the wonderful workmanship not only in the feathers, but also down here on the feet. And it's a large piece. Most of the Meiji pieces we've seen tend to be quite a bit smaller than this. And as we turn it around, you can see the various poses that they've been able to get with each goose. Make sure that you never use an abrasive to clean it, because it's got this wonderful patina, which is true to the period. At auction, a piece like this would be in the neighborhood of $12,000 to $15,000 at auction.
GUEST:
You've got to be kidding. Wow. I can't believe it.
Appraisal Details
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