JAPAN - EDO period (1603 - 1868), 19th century - Lot 338

JAPAN - EDO period (1603 - 1868), 19th century Large deer in bronze with brown patina, seated as a perfume burner. The lid on its back is openwork with maple leaves (momiji ni shika), and its head is turned backwards. (Small accidents). H. with wood 75 cm The maple leaf (momiji) symbolizes autumn, the passage of time and the ephemeral beauty of things. The fallow deer (shika) is considered a messenger of the gods in Shintoism, associated with purity and spiritual protection. Together, momiji ni shika evoke a harmony between nature and the sacred. The motif also evokes the gentle melancholy of autumn, tinged with contemplation and nostalgia. It is often found in Japanese poetry, prints and decorative arts.