Bidspirit auction | JAPANESE MITSUNORI PURE SILVER BONSAI

JAPANESE MITSUNORI PURE SILVER BONSAI PINE, 1998 - A Japanese miniature bonsai pine tree sculpture by Obuchi Mitsunori (b. 1932), dated March 31, 1998, executed in pure silver (jungin), patinated metal, stained wood, and glass. Modeled with a gnarled, textured silver trunk and spreading branches terminating in radiating bundles of fine silver wire needles, the pine (matsu) rises from a pebbled silver ground within a dark patinated oval planter bolted to a stepped reddish-brown stained wood plinth and enclosed in a removable wood-framed glass vitrine. Flanking the tree on the right is a miniature Edo-period firefighter's standard (matoi) with a tripartite finial and hanging streamers beside a small wooden marker inscribed Ma-gumi (万組). Positioned at left on a wooden wedge support is a vertical wooden plaque (kifuda) signed in black calligraphy reading Jungin-sei / Matsu / Mitsunori saku (純銀製 松 光則作) over a red artist's seal. Mounted to the front riser is an engraved gold-tone presentation plaque inscribed Taishoku Kinen / Mine Seiya-dono / Heisei 10-nen 3-gatsu 31-nichi / Mie Kihoku Shobo Kumiai Kanbu Ichido (退職記念 峯清也殿 平成10年3月31日 三重紀北消防組合幹部一同). okimono, chokin, metalwork, figurine, table, ornament, antique, collectible. Dimensions Glass display: 8 x 8 x 6 in. All measurements are approximate. Condition Condition appears consistent with age. The pure silver bonsai needles and textured bark remain intact with light surface tarnish. The stained wood stand and glass case exhibit minor scuffs, light dust, and stain residue on the underside. A personalized brass presentation plaque is mounted on the front.