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Lot 142

Otagiri Flying Horse of Kansu Cast Iron Sculpture

Live — closing Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET

Estimate
$50–$100
Starting bid
$16
Bid on this lot

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About this lot

Country of Origin: Japan

Period: Mid-1970s, circa 1975–1978

Manufacturer: Otagiri Mercantile Company (OMC), Japan

Title: Flying Horse of Kansu

Medium: Cast iron with applied antiqued bronze tone and verdigris style finish

Dimensions: Approx. 7 x 8 in.

Condition: Surface wear, oxidation, discoloration, and losses to the applied antiqued finish consistent with age. Retains the original OMC Japan foil label on the underside and original Otagiri Flying Horse of Kansu explanatory hangtag. No major structural breaks observed.

Additional Information: Vintage Japanese cast iron reproduction of the celebrated Chinese Flying Horse of Gansu, identified on the original Otagiri tag by the historic spelling Flying Horse of Kansu. The sculpture depicts the dynamically galloping celestial horse balanced on a single hoof above a flying bird.

The design reproduces the famous Eastern Han dynasty bronze excavated in Gansu Province, China, in 1969. The original became one of the best known objects featured in the international exhibition of major archaeological discoveries from the People’s Republic of China that toured Europe and the United States in 1974–1975.

This reproduction was produced and marketed by Otagiri Mercantile Company of Japan during the mid 1970s. The heavy cast iron body has an intentionally distressed bronze tone and green verdigris style surface intended to evoke the appearance of an excavated ancient Chinese bronze.

Especially desirable for retaining both its original OMC Japan foil label and the original Otagiri identification and historical information hangtag.

Lot details

Lot
142
Category
Display Objects
Estimate
$50–$100
Starting bid
$16
Bids
0
Bidding closes
Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET
Starting bid $16
Bid on this lot

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