Huge sculpture of a mouse (or rat), with a rather dark patina, represented with a schematic expression and realized with the hollow bronze technique. It is represented in extension from its rear, with its head leaning on its upper paws, the detailed tail deploys at the left of the subject to balance its weight.

This dynamic pose suggests that this animal is half way between lying down and sitting, in an attempt to emphasizes the fact that he is weather sited to eat or trying to get up to see better its environment. Rats are well considered all around Asia, in fact in Japan it is a symbol of intelligence, chance, and prosperity.

Japan – Meiji Era (1868-1912), End of XIXth century
Length: 9 cm – Width:13 cm – Height: 10 cm