Here’s a rare, seldom found pair of old hand cast bronze Japanese Buddhist temple post or bridge post top giboshi that date in the 19th century. They still retain their original inserted cedar post top fragments and each possesses a rage signature making them especially desirable.

They are architectural Classic gems only the fine design eye of Japanese master craftsman can possibly conceive.

Of onion flower form, they can still be found ornamenting the post tops of amazing century old bridges in old Kyoto. Some giboshi there are signed and date to hundreds of years ago, during the old Edo period, 1603-1868.

Dimensions: Big 13 inches tall and 6 inches diameter

Signed!

Rarely found signed, this pair appear to be an important part of a significant bridge- signed by its maker. Only a tiny fraction of these scarce surviving bronze works of art are ever signed.

A wonderful collectible. Intriguing form. Only one.

History:
Giboshi is a kind of Japanese bronze ornament used as bridge post caps on older bridges in Japan. They are crafted ornaments purposely made to resemble the bulbous flower of the onion. The top peak of giboshi are bulbous and pointed resembling the onion domes in Western culture. They are often found on older Japanese bridges such as the famous San Jo bridge in Downtown Kyoto (see photo) and now are viewed as Classic antique ornaments in Japanese gardens, temples and shinto shrines.