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Pair Japanese Carved and Lacquered Inari Foxes, Showa Era, Dated 1951, Japan

About the Item

A delightful and mischievous pair of Japanese carved and lacquered wood Inari foxes, kitsune, dated Showa year twenty six, corresponding to 1951, Japan. The foxes are carved from a single block of keyaki (elm) wood, and lacquered with polychrome and gilt highlights. The fox guardians are portrayed seated upright upon their haunches on a simulated rocky base. The foxes are alert, their heads turned, with gilt eyes open wide, and bushy tails held upright behind them. The foxes have beautiful, sleek, elongated snouts, their mouths set in roguish smiles. One fox holds a scroll in his slightly opened mouth. The other fox holds a gilt "jewel" between his teeth. The foxes hand hewn and carved from a single block of elm wood and lacquered a deep and dark reddish brown. Their ears with red polychrome. Their eyes gilt and outlined in green polychrome. The bases hollowed out and inscribed in ink and dated August 18, 1951. Foxes, known as kitsune in Japan, are considered mystical creatures, with the ability to change into human form. They are tricksters, but can also be benevolent. They are also considered the messengers of Inari, the Shinto God of Rice, and are portrayed in pairs outside his shrines, serving as guardians.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 4.55 in (11.56 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
  • Style:
    Showa (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Elm,Gilt,Hand-Carved,Lacquered
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1951
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. One fox with an old vertical split running from the base up the center of the tail. Please see photos for details.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894727802292
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