By the Miyao company of Yokohama, signed Miyao with seal Ei
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Each figure is finely cast and supported on its original carved wood stand raised on cabriole feet and decorated with a scrolling foliate band with a ho-o bird. One fisherman is depicted, wearing a do (cuirass) over his robe and trousers pulled up above his knees, preparing to cast his net, his companion with one arm enthusiastically raised with the hand clasped around a paddle, the other held to the waist. Each is dressed in a short robe applied with Futatsudomoe mon enclosed within foliate medallions borne on scrolling vines in kebori, and wearing a straw hat strapped to the head. Each figure signed to the back within a rectangular reserve MIYAO followed by the seal Ei.

HEIGHT 25.4 cm and 19.7 cm (incl. stand)
WEIGHT 676.6 g and 750 g (incl. stand)

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. One attribute possibly lost.

Founded by Miyao Eisuke, the Miyao Company of Yokohama (later based in Nihonbashi-ku, Tokyo, after ca. 1890) specialized in the manufacture of bronze sculptures, embellished with gold and silver as well as patinated copper alloys, that represent generic samurai warriors as well as more precisely identifiable characters from Japanese myth and legend. In addition, the company also made a smaller number of pieces in other formats such as incense burners, vases, and chargers.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related pair of parcel-gilt bronze okimono, signed Miyao zo, dated to the Meiji period, 21.3 and 20 cm high, at Christie's, 29 July 2014, London, lot 333 (sold for GBP 4,500).