MITSUTA HARUO (B. 1980)
A Copper, Brass and Gold plated Jizai Okimono of a Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)
Heisei era (1989-2019), 21st century
The life-size articulated sculpture made up of numerous finely constructed, hammered parts joined together with movable limbs, body, wings, head and stinger; unsigned; with the original wood box sealed on the lid Haru. 1.5cm x 5cm (5/8in x 2in) including wingspan. (2).
Footnotes:
Provenance:
Property from a Princely Collection.

Mitsuta Haruo has recently earned an international reputation for his success in reviving the tradition of jizai okimono. Originally made by armourers (see also lots 45-49 and lots 52-56), these flexible figures made from metal pieces that exactly emulate the movements of animals or insects became popular with Western buyers from the closing decades of the nineteenth century. Made from a wider range of metals than their historical predecessors, Mitsuta's creatures—based on the concept of kinzoku ni yoru inochi no saigen ('Life revived in metal')—take verisimilitude to an altogether higher level. For an exhibition of his work held in London in 2019, see dajf.org.uk/exhibitions/jizai-by-haruo-mitsuta.

including but not limited to the following:

Good condition.