Kiyoaki
A fine articulated iron kogo in the form of a praying mantis, naturalistically worked, the wings detachable revealing an interior silver liner, the head with gilt eyes and inlaid with three jewelled ocelli (simple eyes for detecting light and movement), bearing a rich russet brown patination.
Signed in gold beneath the abdomen Kiyoaki
Height: 12cm, length: 17cm
For a similar example with detachable wings, forming an incense burner see Metropolitan Museum of Art, ref. 36.120.669a, b
£11,500