Japanese Articulated Copper Jizai Okimono of a Cricket

DescriptionAntique Japanese cast copper jizai okimono of an articulated cricket. Small, articulated metal figures of this type are called jizai okimono (literally “free decorative object”). They typically have moveable bodies, arms, legs. Each copper section of this okimono is finely cast, depicting a natural realism, a style that was prominent during the Meiji Period. All six legs, wings and both long antennas are movable. The base of the cricket is signed: Zaodo.Provenance: British private collection.Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)Dimensions: 5″ x 1.25″ with antennas