19TH CENTURY JAPANESE WOODEN OX YOKE

Antique 19th Century brass ornamented wooden Japanese ox yoke. Painted red with attractive, heavily patinated brass or bronze ornamentation. Each arm is about 19 inches long, and the piece measures 29 inches wide at the base. (It does not swivel at the center, though it may have at one time.) The arms are 1 1/2 inches thick and 3 inches wide at the widest point.

Each arm has two rectangular openings, a larger one fitted with a metal plate, and a smaller one, as well as metal ring with an anchoring plate which would have been used to either carry loads or to attach the yoke to a person or animal.

The piece is overall in good condition, but repaired in places. Numerous nails/fasteners missing, some replaced with more modern nails. Wood cracked at center point, but intact. Metal ornamentation bent in places. A great decorative piece!