August 29-30, 2018 Fine Art, Asian & Antiques
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2018
A fine bronze figure of a Japanese Naval Officer with binoculars in right hand and sword in left hand. Makers mark at rear of base, base is hollow. Overall appearance is very good to extremely fine with slight brassing at high edges, specifically binoculars and top of cap. Sword has become detached at the base and hanger strap is detached at the ring, which could be solder repaired. Note: Bronze figures such as these were often given as retirement gifts to Japanese officers. This example may have been given to a school master at one of the U.S.-Japanese Training Academies. We have been informed that the figure is probably of Admiral Heihachiro Togo (1848-1934). This was Japan’s greatest naval officer and victor of the battle of Tsushima, annihilating the Russian fleet in 1915. U.S. Admiral Chester Nimitz, helped with the preservation of the battleship Mikasa (Togo’s flagship) at Yokosuka, Japan. There is also a Togo Memorial Garden at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Item Dimensions: 19-1/2" x 5-1/2".