Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Japan Important 1939 Bronze Life-Size "Seaman with Cape" Museum Work, Koga Tadao

$150,000
£114,682.99
€132,091.63
CA$210,195.99
A$234,664.06
CHF 122,960.44
MX$2,872,518.39
NOK 1,561,598.78
SEK 1,472,389.38
DKK 985,813.43

About the Item

Japan an important life-size , early period sculpture of a muscular working man dated to 1939 and entitled "Seaman with a Cape", by mid century master sculptor Koga Tadao (1903-1979). For further information please call Douglas on our dedicated 1stdibs telephone line. A powerful depiction. This is considered to be one of Tadao' most important master pieces by Japanese museum curators. Dimensions: 80 inches high Base dimensions: 36 inches by 24 inches Approximate Weight: 650 lbs Dated on base 1939. Excellent Garden candidate. Reference: Catalog Of Collections- Saga Prefecture Art Museum, 1989, p.205, 39. F-30-4 Provenance: one of three life-size bronze sculptures acquired from a private Japanese garden collection, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. A similar example stands in front of the Saga Prefecture Art Museum yet no examples are known in collections outside of Japan. Sculptor Artisan: Koga Tadao (1903-1979) Koga Tadao graduated from the Technical School Arita, then went to Tokyo and enrolled in the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko the precursor of Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku and studied sculpture. In 1929, as a student, a sculpture by him entitled "Buddhist Heart" (Busshin) was accepted for the 10th " Teiten " exhibition. The following year he graduated from the school. He continued to exhibit in various places. His work "Man on the Cape" ( Misaki no Otoko) at the Shin-Bunten Exhibition 1939 received an honorable mention. His sculpture "Building Greater East Asia" (Tatsu Daitoa) received a 1942 Award by the Academy of Arts . His work entitled "Summer work" ( Natsu no Saku), which he exhibited in the same year, was acquired by the Ministry of Culture. In 1962, Haisen kara tachinaoru Nippon) was erected and in 1964 on the same site Koga's sculpture "Resurrection of Japan after the lost war", was installed. In 1964 Koga became chairman of the "Japanese Society of Sculpture" , Nihon Choso-kai), and in 1966 he became a member of the Academy of Arts . In 1968 he was highly honored as a director and leading member in the Department of Sculpture of " Nitten. " By 1971 he became president of the "Japanese Society of Stone Sculptures" ( Nihon Tocho-kai) and was awarded the Order of Merit. Koga's works are known for their distinctive masculine style, though he has created in the last years smaller scale and simplified, empathetic works, such as his series of crows and ducks. On the other hand, there are monumental works by him, such as "Vision of a Forest" (Mori no Genso) - a listening man who was set up in 1973 in his hometown of Saga, and "In Memory of the Cradle of Japanese Medicine "( Nihon Igaku Hassho Kinen-zo), which was built the following year in Oita . The latter shows a doctor treating with assistants at a hospital bed. In 1994 well after his death, the Saga Prefecture Art Museum established a sculpture grove park in Koga's honor by installing over twenty of his monumental bronze works in Saga Castle Park, the lush gardens surrounding the museum. This important sculpture from his earlier period is one of only two examples currently known . The first known example of this sculpture was donated to the same Saga Castle Park Museum and is installed in a place of importance- at the entry to this museum in Saga, Japan. This important oversized 84” bronze sculpture created in 1939 “Seaman with Cape” from his earlier period and perhaps one of his finest executed sculptures, is one of only two examples currently known. Of particular note is the “octopus” representation on this sculpture’s back pocket or a tobacco pouch Tobako-ire. The first known example of this sculpture was donated to the same Saga Castle Park Museum and is installed in a place of importance- at the entry to this museum in Saga, Japan. Our gallery has been dealing in authentic Japanese, Chinese, and Fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. The president personally travels to Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. For further information please call Douglas on our dedicated 1stdibs telephone line. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Cast
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1939
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    South Burlington, VT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1289216328512

More From This Seller

View All
Japan 1950s Museum Bronze Over Life-Size "Male Reborn” Koga Tadao, 84"
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan an important 84" Tall life-size sculpture of "Male Reborn" by midcentury master sculptor Koga Tadao (Meiji 36 (1903) to Showa 54 (1979). For further...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japan Important 1961 Over Life-Size Bronze Man Child "Coming Generation", Tadao
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan an important life-size plus 94 Inch high sculpture of a man with child by Mid-Century Modern master sculptor Koga Tadao, (Meiji 36 (1903) to Showa 54 ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Midcentury Sculpture "Sweet Child” Zenmoto
Located in South Burlington, VT
Mid Century Signed Discovery Japan a charming sweet little girl bundled in a thick coat with a ribboned coat tie that almost hides her happy face, hand mufflers, and top of face her...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Folk Art Kappa, circa 1930
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan, a beautiful, unusual and possibly unique antique hand cast bronze "Kappa" (child protector) sculptor complete with a separately formed bronze pair of 3.5 inch long cucumbers- a kappa's favorite snack food. Signed. Signed An incised artist signature “Bunraku” on base. "Bunraku" is associated with Japanese puppet play and performance, Kappa Bring Good Fortune Japanese Kappa...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Folk Art Kappa, circa 1930
$1,200 Sale Price / set
78% Off
Japanese Bronze Midcentury Sculpture "Mother and Children” Kiku
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan an attractive large scale bronze sculpture of a caretaking mother with two children and signed a by midcentury sculptor. Classic mother midcentury pose with artist's signature and date on base. Handsome original old verdigris patina from appropriate age. Mother's back gently protects and shelters her new born and her right hand lovingly clutches the hand of her second child in this charming and iconic design. Excellent garden candidate. Photographs were taken indoors and out of doors in natural light for your viewing pleasure. Dimensions: 32 inches high and 11 inches wide Signed on base. Artist name: Kiku (Chrysanthemum) and likely bronze sculptor Kikuchi Kazuo (1908-1985) and dated 1978 Provenance: private Japanese garden collection Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze a Woman with Dove Midcentury Sculptor
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan a lovely, sensitive cast bronze sculpture of a woman gently holding a dove in her hands. The naive female nude by a midcentury sculptor. This is a Classic midcentury nude f...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Renato Bassoli Stone Soldier Sculpture, Signed 1955
By Renato Bassoli
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful stone statue designed and produced by Renato Bassoli in 1955, of fine Italian manufacture. The statue is made of natural dark stone, very beautiful. The statue would appear...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

1950s Modern Brutalist Bronze Sculpture
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Bronze sculpture of man sitting
Category

Vintage 1950s Figurative Sculptures

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

German Bronze Figure of a Seaman with Pipe, F. Staeger
Located in New York, NY
On marble base. Signed F. Staeger, (1880-1976).
Category

Vintage 1910s German Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Top Quality Bronze Land Worker / Male Sower Sculpture by Max Valentin
By Max Valentin
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique museum quality bronze male sower on a marble base with signature, sculptor Max Valentin (1875-1931). This antique is for the collectors and connoisseurs, because the quality...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Mounted Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

"The Preacher" Limited Edition Bronze Brutalist Figural Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary hand-forged bronze Brutalist-inspired figural sculpture depicting a preacher finished in an ebonized patina (PRICED EACH). ("THE PREACHER" - Limited Edition of 10) Each...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Ca...

Materials

Metal, Bronze