This lavish incense burner, or koro, won the highest award for artistic quality and perfect workmanship in the Barcelona Exhibition of 1888. The sculpture was created by a team of five artists: Ippu inlaid the gold and silver around the top of the piece; the delicate chasing and carving was done by Ito Katsumi and Sugiyama of Toyko and Suzuki Chokichi cast the bronze base with the assistance of a pupil of Miochin, a celebrated historic armorer. Chokichi, one of the greatest metal artists of 19th century Japan, produced pieces specifically for display at international expositions. The events took place in cities around the world following the great success of the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851. The expositions provided opportunities to showcase excellent national craftsmanship, improve international relations and educate and entertain the public. Although it is not certain that George Walter Vincent Smith attended the fairs, museum records indicate that a number of his purchases won prizes in the shows. A similar, but much larger koro by Suzuki Chokichi, was displayed at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition and is now owned by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.