Items Similar to Japanese Antique Sacred Horse "Shinme" 1800s-1860s / Primitive Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Sacred Horse Wooden Statue "Shinme" 1800s-1860s / Wabi Sabi

Chinese Ming Celestial Mingqi Horse Figure

Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Tang Dynasty Horse

Antique Tang-Style Horse Sculpture

Antique Tang-Style Horse

Carved Polychromed Chinese Horse

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Japanese Antique Sacred Horse "Shinme" 1800s-1860s / Primitive Wabisabi

$2,500

£1,919.76

€2,202.27

CA$3,512.79

A$3,934.11

CHF 2,052.75

MX$48,053.42

NOK 26,116.99

SEK 24,618.39

DKK 16,435.25

About the Item

This is an old Japanese carved wooden horse, a highly valuable piece created in the late Edo period (early 1800s–1860s). In Japan, it is known as a "Shinme" (sacred horse), a term referring to the divine horses dedicated to Shinto shrines. Since ancient times, Shinme have been revered as the steeds of the gods, protectors of sacred grounds. During festivals and rituals, white horses or wooden effigies of horses were often dedicated as offerings. This work was likely created in the spirit of such traditions of devotion and prayer. The horse is carved from cedar wood and finished with a deep, rich coat of red lacquer. The presence of a carved phallus indicates that it represents a stallion. Over the course of many decades, parts of the lacquer have naturally worn away, yet this weathering has imbued the piece with a decadent, timeworn beauty and a unique presence shaped by the passage of time. The carving is both powerful and unrefined, preserving the direct touch of the artisan who created it. Unlike modern precision craftsmanship, it exudes a primitive charm. Its stance remains dignified, embodying the noble bearing of a Shinme that once stood watch over sacred grounds. This wooden carving is far more than a decorative object or antique—it is a symbol of spirituality and devotion, passed down through generations. It encapsulates the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, where imperfection, age, and wear are embraced as integral elements of beauty. With its historical value, sacred heritage, and sculptural presence, this Shinme stands as a rare and culturally significant art piece representing the spirit and tradition of Japan. Weight: 4.5 kg ___________________________________________ Our Philosophy Objects always tell the truth. All I can do is just to face with them sincerely and give them deep affection as much as I can. There is no boundary of nationalities and of eras in beauty. But I think now is the time we choose 'Japanese style' and it will be the best way to remind us of what we are losing today and to question us about an essence of beauty again. I hope that you can touch the memories which the objects here have, feel and think of something invisible but exists undoubtedly.

Dimensions:

Height: 22.05 in (56 cm)Width: 21.26 in (54 cm)Depth: 6.11 in (15.5 cm)

Style:

Edo (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Cedar,Lacquer,Hand-Carved,Lacquered,Woodwork

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1800s-1860s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Chōsei District Nagara, JP

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU10403246100182

More From This Seller

View All

Japanese Antique Sacred Horse Wooden Statue "Shinme" 1800s-1860s / Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is a very rare carved wooden statue of a sacred horse that was dedicated to a Japanese shrine. It was produced during the Edo period (1800s-1860s), and the main material used is...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Sacred Horse Wooden Statue "Shinme" 1800s-1860s / Wabi Sabi

$8,000

Japanese Antique Natural Wood Object 1900s-1940s / Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

Believe it or not, this is actually a tree. This is a natural pine tree object that makes use of the form created by nature as it is. It is estimated to have been collected in the mo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Antiquities

Materials

Pine

Japanese Antique Natural Wood Object 1900s-1940s / Wabisabi

$1,500

Japanese Old Wood Carving Dog 1950s-1970s / Figurine Sculpture Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old carved wooden dog made in Japan. It was produced in the late Showa period (1950s-1970s) and is made of zelkova wood, which has a beautiful grain. The robust and expres...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Old Wood Carving Dog 1950s-1970s / Figurine Sculpture Wabi Sabi

$600

Japanese Antique Side Chair or Side Table 1860s-1900s / Stool Wabisabi Mingei

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old side chair made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is made of cedar wood. The trapezoidal shape is characteristic of this piece, and its ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Side Chairs

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Side Chair or Side Table 1860s-1900s / Stool Wabisabi Mingei

$900

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Fish 1860s-1900s / Figurine Object Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old carved wooden fish made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and was carefully carved one by one using chestnut wood. The annual ring pattern th...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Chestnut

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Fish 1860s-1900s / Figurine Object Wabisabi

$400

Japanese Old Female Figure Sculpture 1960s-1980s / Human Statue Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old wood carving made in Japan. It is a female figure by an unknown artist, and is estimated to have been made in the late Showa period (1960s-1980s). The statue is carved...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Old Female Figure Sculpture 1960s-1980s / Human Statue Wabisabi

$1,500

Antique 16th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Chinese Ming Celestial Mingqi Horse Figure

$9,580

Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Tang Dynasty Horse

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Mid-19th century carved and painted wooden Tang dynasty horse This is a superb piece of Chinese Folk Art, superbly carved in wood, in the classic statue...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Tang Dynasty Horse

$3,793

Antique Tang-Style Horse Sculpture

Located in San Diego, CA

The beautifully hand carved Chinese wood horse is in the style of those produced during the Tang Dynasty. The material is a dark wood with remnant of red paint. Parts were carved sep...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Tang-Style Horse Sculpture

$2,175

Antique Tang-Style Horse

Located in Sheffield, MA

The beautifully hand carved Chinese wood horse is in the style of those produced during the Tang Dynasty. The material is a dark wood with remnant of red paint. Parts were carved sep...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Tang Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Tang-Style Horse

$3,400

Carved Polychromed Chinese Horse

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A wonderful 20th century carved painted wooden Chinese horse purchased in 1985 from a prominent Hong Kong Gallery. A copy of the original receipt will be...

Category

20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Carved Polychromed Chinese Horse

$1,800

Large wooden sculpture horse, India, 19th/20th century

Located in Gorssel, GE

Large decorative Indian Hindu woodcarving depicting a horse with an attendant (possibly shiva), used for processions. Indian Temple Horse. Polychrome woodcarving. In fair condition,...

Category