Bronze hanging lantern (Tsuri Toro). Rare Christian Cross decoration. Japan

Old lanterns are very popular in Japan and it is difficult to find them on the market. Most often they are made of wood, sometimes of iron, rarely of bronze. Lanterns in Japan are considered as ritual objects both Buddhist and Shintoist, in fact they represent the universe by the 5 elements which compose them, earth, water, fire, air cosmos, moreover, they are not made to illuminate , like in the West, but to enhance the shadows. The lantern presented here is in cast bronze, the openwork decoration presents Christian crosses, which is very rare, Christians having been persecuted in Japan until the end of the 19th century. The suspension handle is composed of 2 dragons, lion masks make up the 5 feet. The bottom of the lantern is removable, held by a system of bayonets, a cup can hold both oil and a candle. One end of the roof is broken, otherwise good condition and beautiful old patina.
The presence of the crosses could indicate that this lantern was created after the persecutions at the end of the 19th century (1868), however, before this date, many Japanese owned objects of Christian items despite the bans.
Edo period (17th-19th century).
Height: 225mm.