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Japanese Study of a Human Skull - Meiji Period

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Japanese Antiques298 of 772Japanese early 20c see no evil Ivory statue & wooden baseMy pick in the local Japanese Store - Today
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    Posted 8 years ago

    Bugguy
    (22 items)

    This solid metal skull is one of my favorite items in my Cabinet of Curiosity. It dates from the Meiji Period in Japan (1868 - 1912) and is likely made from antimony - a metal similar to lead and mined in China. The signature on the bottom is raised and made to look like a plaque.The skull is 1 3/4" high and 2 1/2" long.

    I have no history to go with this. It was an estate sale find almost 40 years ago. I've seen one of these at auction years ago and would appreciate any additional information.

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    Comments

    1. racer4four racer4four, 8 years ago
      Bugguy if no-one here can help maybe one of the Japanese groups on Facebook can.
      I find this group friendly and helpful:
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/collectingjapaneseceramics/
    2. Efesgirl Efesgirl, 8 years ago
      Looks to be bronze. I didn't find anything exactly like your skull online. I did, however, find something similar (unsigned):

      http://www.ebay.de/itm/Antique-Japanese-Meiji-Human-Skull-Monkey-Hand-Holding-it-Bronze-Sculpture-Rare-/371425732214
    3. Peterdrury Peterdrury, 8 years ago
      it appears to be areal bronze age skull. lol
    4. Bugguy Bugguy, 8 years ago
      Actually, I came across this one - same inscription, but lacquered.

      http://www.finch-and-co.co.uk/antiquities/d/japanese-lacquered-antimony-naturalistic-okimono-of-a-human-skull-/82704

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