Wood, brass and lacquer. Japan, Muromachi period or early Edo period

A large rectangular panel with brass fittings with finely incised floral decorations. Depicted is a tennin, a buddhist angel, with beautiful large, well-carved wings. Her tail ends in elaborately carved feathers and her head is surrounded by a heavenly garland. Her body is accentuated with polychrome lacquer painting and the swirling clouds around her are lacquered in gold. She has a dignified expression, whilst she holds one of her defining attributes – a sho or ‘mouth organ’. The composition is well achieved with her body being elevated in front of the openwork clouds, creating an overwhelming three-dimensional effect. The wear to the polychrome painting and the facial expression hint at a very early work – museum quality.

Condition: Extraordinarily well-preserved condition, expected wear
Provenance: From an important Austrian private collection, acquired before 1930

LENGTH 172 CM, WIDTH 63 CM