Items Similar to Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Monkey Group Sculpture Okimono Shosai
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Monkey Group Sculpture Okimono Shosai
About the Item
Featuring Seven Japanese Macaques
Form our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Bronze Monkey Group by Shosai. The Japanese Bronze Group displaying a male father monkey and his infants playing around and being mischievous with Persimmon fruit. The monkeys modelled as Japanese macaque monkeys (snow monkey). The bronze okimono is beautifully patinated with a highly lifelike and naturalistic casting signed to the underside Shosai 正齊鋳. The Bronze group dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1885.
Japanese macaque (snow monkey) is a terrestrial Old World monkey species that is native to Japan. They are known as snow monkeys because some live in areas where snow covers the ground for long periods each year hence their nickname. No other non-human primate lives further north or in a colder climate than the snow monkey. Individuals have brownish grey fur, pinkish-red faces, and short tails. Two subspecies are known and their conservation Status is of least concern. In Japan, the species is known as Nihonzaru ニホンザル, 日本 (Japan/Nihon) and saru 猿 (monkey) to distinguish it from other primates, but the Japanese macaque is the only species of monkey in Japan.
The Japanese macaque features heavily in the religion, folklore, and art of Japan, as well as in proverbs and idiomatic expressions in the Japanese language. They are often seen in paintings, block prints and represented in all manner of carvings from Okimono to netsuke. Many of these art forms reside in the world’s most famous museums and collections, some of the most prominent pieces by artists such as Mori Sosen and Kawanabe Kyosai. In Shinto belief (Japan’s indigenous religion/nature religion) legendary mythical beasts known as raiju sometimes appeared as monkeys and kept Raijin (the god of lightning/storms) company. In another well known tale the three wise monkeys who warn people to “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” can be seen depicted in relief over the door of the famous Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko.
Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era.
Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist Namikawa Yasuyuki.
Bronze an alloy consisting primarily of copper with approximately 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such as arsenic or silicon depending on the age of the bronze and its origin. The additions of other metals produce a range of alloys that are usually harder than copper alone and carry useful properties such as strength. The earliest known use of bronze dates to the 5th millennium BCE from Iranian plateau, the bronze mix consists of arsenical copper and copper-arsenide. The earliest tin-copper-alloy recovered is dated to circa 4650 BCE and was found in Plocnik, Serbia. It is believed to have been smelted from a natural tin-copper ore.
Antique a collectable object such as a piece of furniture or work of art that has a high value because of its age and quality. Objects of this nature are generally considered antique at 100 plus years of age.
- Dimensions:Height: 5.12 in (13 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 6.3 in (16 cm)
- Style:Meiji (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1885
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Newark, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: KADDS1stDibs: LU6971240496452
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2019
1stDibs seller since 2022
33 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Newark, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllJapanese Bronze Okimono Sculpture by Yamamoto Kozan
Located in Newark, England
YOUNG MAN WOOD CUTTING
From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to offer this Japanese Bronze Okimono by Yamamoto Kozan. The Japanese Bronze Sculpture cast in Bronze with a natu...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Bronze Pheasant Okimono Genryusai Seiya
Located in Newark, England
Unusual Casting of a Pheasant in Flight
From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese bronze okimono of a Pheasant upon a naturalistic root wood base. The Ph...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Group Bear & Alligator by Yoshimitsu
Located in Newark, England
The Japanese group comprises of a Bear being attacked by a large alligator. The alligator jumping on the back of the Bear with mouth wide opening showing its razor sharp teeth. The b...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Pottery Cat and Kitten Okimono
Located in Newark, England
EARLY MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)
From our Japanese Pottery collection, we are delighted to offer this charming Japanese Pottery Cats Okimono. The Pottery Cats Okimono consisting of a...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912) Three Wise Monkeys Box Komyo 光明
Located in Newark, England
The Silver box of rectangular form with rounded corners features the Three Wise Monkeys to the front, see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. The monkeys cast beautifully with n...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Metalwork
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) Skeleton Foetus Netsuke
Located in Newark, England
Laying Foetus
From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to offer this Japanese Edo Period Skeleton Netsuke. The Skeleton Netsuke is carved from Boxwood depicting a skeleton in t...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Boxwood
You May Also Like
JAPAN 1890 Meiji Period Okimono Sculpture With A Group Of Skeletons Playing
Located in Miami, FL
A signed Okimono from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912).
Very rare, unusual and large sculptural assembling of a dysplaying piece of okimono. Created in Japan during the imperia...
Category
Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$14,988 Sale Price
25% Off
JAPAN 1890 Meiji Period Okimono Sculpture Of A Group Of Skeletons Smoking
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural signed Okimono from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912).
Very rare, unusual and large sculptural assembling of a dysplaying piece of okimono. Created in Japan during the imperial period of the Meiji (1868-1912). This extraordinary okimono was carefully carved depicting a group of three intricately and realistically rendered carousing skeletons (Gaikotsu) in relax and resting position, drinking and smoking. Two of them, probably males representations are resting on a wicker sofa. The third, is a woman seated in a lower stool...
Category
Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$14,988 Sale Price
25% Off
Japan bronze cicada sculpture okimono Meiji
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze sculpture with dark brown patina of a cicada.
The cicada (in Japanese, semi) is considered as a symbol of humanity. Together with a praying mantis and a spider, they represen...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Tokyo School Bronze Okimono of a Farmer, Meiji Period
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine and detailed Tokyo School cast bronze okimono (decorative sculpture) of a smiling farmer, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan.
The e...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japanese bronze Okimono , Edo period
Located in Bilzen, BE
Japanese bronze okimono from the Edo period in its old patina and good condition,
Beautiful quality and expression
Height 30 cm, not signed
Category
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
A Massive Japanese Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Tiger, Meiji Period
Located in New York, NY
A Massive Japanese Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Tiger, Meiji Period. Signed.
Measuring an impressive 44 inches in length, this extraordinary sculpture is a striking example of t...
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Japanese Bronze Sculptures
Monkey Sculptures
Tinned Copper
Japanese Metal Sculpture
Gold Monkey
Two Monkeys
Patinated Bronze Japan
Monkey Circa
Relief Sculpture Face
Antique Tinned Copper
Antique Bronzes Males
Cast Metal Relief
Antique Tin Can
Antique Tin Cans
Copper Relief Sculpture
Alloy Sculpture
Japanese Cloisonne Bronze
19th Century Bronze Sculpture Male