Lot 3811. An iron articulated sculpture of a long snake, Early 20th century, signed Muneyoshi (Tanaka Tadayoshi; ?-1958); 81 7/8 in. (208 cm.) long. Estimate HKD 1,600,000 - HKD 2,400,000 (USD 205,080 - USD 307,620). Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

The russet-iron snake constructed of numerous hammered plates jointed inside the body, the head incised with scales and fitted with a hinged jaw, gilt eyes, signature on underside of jaw.

Literature: Kuo Hong-Sheng and Chang Yuan-Feng, chief eds. et al., Meiji no bi / Splendid Beauty: Illustrious Crafts of the Meiji Period (Taipei: National Taiwan Normal University Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics, 2013), pp. 298-303.

Exhibited: Preparatory Office of the National Headquarters of Taiwan Traditional Arts, “Japan Arts of Meiji Period; Asia-Pacific Traditional Arts Festival Special Exhibition.” 2011.7.8-2012.1.8. cat. pp. 106-107. 
“Meiji Kogei: Amazing Japanese Art,” shown at the following venues: Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, 2016.9.7-10.30. Hosomi Museum, Kyoto, 2016.11.12-12.25. Kawagoe City Art Museum, 2017.4.22-6.11. cat. no. 6.

Note: This is the work of Tanaka Tadayoshi, a modern metal artist active in the Taisho and Showa periods. He apprenticed in the Kyoto workshop of Takase Kozan (1869-1934), who directed the studio creating articulated sculptures for both domestic and international markets. Tadayoshi was known as a master of articulated sculptures especially of large scale, such as the present lot.
For a similar work signed by Muneyoshi in the British Museum, see Harada Kazutoshi, ed., Jizai okimono / Articulated Iron Figures of Animals, Rokusho 11, special edition (2010), pl. 12.