An antiques friend showed me a beautiful, small sculpture he thought
was bronze. But he pointed out to me the striations in the bottom
where the patina had worn off. The piece is actually mokame gane.
It is of 2 lions fighting (playing) the way cats do…one on bottom,
the other on top. Both with mouths wide open and teeth bared. It
is beautiful and finely wrought. About 4 1/2" long, 2 1/2" high.
There are 3 tiny Japanese (?) marks on bottom.
I have 2 questions: Where would he go to find out what this piece
is and its worth? How can we tell (by water displacement or
whatever) what the statue is made of? Mokame, yes; but it is very
heavy.
Thanks for your help,
Esta Jo Schifter
Shifting Metal
Phila, PA
estajo@msn.com