Dear Leo,

This is an Japanese incense burner made as a rooster. The incense in put in the pot and the smoke will come through the feathers into the space. Its a nice piece and made around 1900, indeed Meiji period. Those incense burners were used in home temples or public temples in villages in Japan. In late Meiji these were also made for export to the west; Japanese art was discovered by well known artist, potters and painters and art from Japan became popular in the west. Its made of bronze and casted in a mold. Of course there were made two pieces fit together in one statue. I believe this rooster is appealing to collectors and dealers because of its shape and quality. Its more interesting and rare then traditional incense burners you see all the time.