Japanese Figure Depicting Rooster

A flat-sided hen in verdigris green, with a heart-shaped wing and ruffled neck.

This cast iron rooster figure is from Japan, and dates to the mid 20th century. Iron is cast by pouring molten metal into sand or clay molds, and the finished surface darkens and develops a patina with age. A bold profile figure with a blocky body, a tail made of straight parallel grooves and a heart-like wing shape at the side. The surface is stippled with blue-green crust over dark brown, with rust-colored patches in the low spots. It is 1.5 inches wide, 5 deep and 5 high.

It wears its patina like a proper feather coat.