OTANI HARUHIKO: A FINE PARCEL-GILT SILVER PLAQUE DEPICTING A CHINESE DRAGON

Otani Haruhiko (1906-81), signed Haruhiko to
Japan, 20th century

Finely engraved in kebori, chiseled in katakiribori, embellished with gold flat inlay as well as patinated tones of bronze, silver, and shakudo, depicting a sinuously writhing five-clawed dragon with its mouth open in a snarl as it pauses mid-air, the ferocious beast’s body finely incised with scales and licked by wispy flames. Signed to the right edge HARUHIKO to [carved by Haruhiko].

Image SIZE 17.5 x 51 cm, SIZE incl. frame 33.5 x 85 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.

Mounted with a silk mat and brown-lacquered frame. With a wood tomobako inscribed with the title and artist’s signature.

Otani Haruhiko (1906-81) graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Art in 1930. He studied under Katsura Mitsuharu. In 1940 he exhibited at the Hoshukuten, later he exhibited at the Nitten and Nihon Dento Kogeiten.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related metal kogo by the same artist at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 22 March 2022, New York, lot 92 (sold for USD 6,930).