A pair of large bronze models of guardians


Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th centuryEach shown standing contraposto dressed in Chinese-style armor under flowing robes with cloud and floral designs carved in kebori, one figure wearing a helmet modeled as a rooster, the other wearing a helmet designed as a shachi (mythical fish-like monster), each holding a separately cast halberd with dragon sockets, the details in gilt and shakudo, each with a fitted wood stand decorated with coiling vines in gold hiramaki-e 22 1/4in (56.5cm) high, the largest, figure only; 26 1/2in (67.3cm) high, including stand