Antique Sparrow Roof Tile water lily pad Bird Bronze Meiji Sculpture Okimono 13

  

A superb Meiji period bronze okimono in the form of a sparrow on a roof tile on water with lily pads, the detachable bird is naturalistically modeled with etched detail, the roof-tile is partially submerged and decorated at end, circa 1890. Item details - See Photo's and Condition for size and Details. Some Pictures were enhanced for detail. Please Ask Questions Prior To Offer.

DATING JAPANESE ITEMS THROUGH MARKINGS MANDATED BY US IMPORT TARIFF ACT, A BRIEF HISTORY. Pre 1891- Usually unmarked or Marked with Artist's or Manufacture's name in Japanese kanji. 1891 - 1914 - McKinley Tariff Act, all goods imported to the U.

Were required to be marked in English with the country of origin. 1914 - 1941 - Amended Tariff Act, add "Made In" to the country of origin, not rigorously enforced until 1921, as late as 1925. 1941 - 1945 - WWll, no imports from Japan. 1947 - 1949 - "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan".

1949 - "Occupied Japan", "Made in Occupied Japan", "Made in Japan" or "Japan" where acceptable. Most back-stamped in black ink. Later in this period flimsy paper stickers started to show up on more and more items. Most of these were removed or fell off so these pieces may be unmarked. 1952 - Today - Sticker Regulation, Paper or foil sticker, "Japan" or "Made in Japan".

Usually A small oval or rectangular shaped paper sticker, blue or black with white lettering, or black or red foil label with gold or silver lettering. MARKINGS WERE/ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR NON USA IMPORT GOODS.