Vintage Mid-20th Century Japanese Brass Crane & Turtle Altar Candlestick Shokudai – 10.5"

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Vintage Mid-Century Japanese Brass Crane & Turtle Altar Candlestick Shokudai – 10"

An exceptional mid-century vintage Japanese brass Shokudai (altar … Read more Vintage Mid-Century Japanese Brass Crane & Turtle Altar Candlestick Shokudai – 10"

An exceptional mid-century vintage Japanese brass Shokudai (altar candle stand) featuring exquisite, layered casting and immense cultural symbolism.
The stand captures a majestic crane (or heron / stork) standing confidently atop a mythical Minogame turtle. Clasped firmly in the crane's beak is a stylized serpent that loops upward to securely hold a traditional scalloped lotus-petal candle cup. In Japanese folklore, the pairing of the crane and turtle (Tsuru-Kame) is a powerful symbol representing good fortune, health, wisdom, and immense longevity.
This piece was originally designed as a Buddhist temple or home altar (Butsudan) fitting. It features its authentic modular construction, held together from the underside by early-to-mid 20th-century square nuts. A rare, hand-incised artisanal studio emblem/batch mark (Kokuin) is etched beautifully into the brass casting on the base's bottom, noting its small-scale foundry provenance.
Perfect for collectors of Asian antiques, Chinoiserie styles, or grandmillennial home decor. See less