A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE JAPANESE BRONZE ROOF TILE MODELLED AS A SHACHIHOKO

A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE JAPANESE BRONZE ROOF TILE MODELLED AS A SHACHIHOKO

EDO PERIOD, LATE 18TH OR 19TH CENTURY

The massive dragon-fish depicted with its tail pointing upwards towards the sky, its dragon head with bushy eyebrows and long whiskers, the carp-like body modelled with four large pectoral fins and crisp scales, a spiny dorsal fin and with a flared tail, with remnants of gilt, 160cm.

Provenance: formerly an American private collection. The dragon-fish was displayed on the roof of a large mansion in Rhode Island, New England.

Shachihoko are sea monsters believed to cause rain. They are often used as ornaments on Japanese rooftops to protect buildings against fire.