Items Similar to Pair of Japanese Gilt Bronze Komainu by Ishikawa Komei, Meiji Period

Japanese Tokyo School Bronze Okimono of a Farmer, Meiji Period

Pair of Japanese Cast Bronze Figures of Niō, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya

Two Rare Japanese Izumo Clay Dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Meiji Period

Large and Impressive Meiji Period Bronze Bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuh

Japanese Lacquer, Bone and "Root" Wood Screen Meiji Period

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Pair of Japanese Gilt Bronze Komainu by Ishikawa Komei, Meiji Period

About the Item

A striking pair of Japanese gilt bronze komainu by the renowned Japanese sculptor, Ishikawa Komei (1852-1913), Meiji period, Japan. The pair well cast, and robustly modeled. They are portrayed seated on their haunches, with broad, muscular chests, long, flowing manes, and a flame-like tails. The rich gilding further highlighting the strong musculature of these beasts. Their sharp faces, ending in wide, flattened ruyi shaped noses, and mouths set in almost mischievous grins. Near mirror images, the figures differ only slightly. One lion has his ears pitched forward, and his mouth open, symbolizing the Sanskrit seed syllable "ah" ("a" in Japanese). The other lion has his ears standing upright, and his mouth closed, symbolizing the Sanskrit seed syllable "om" ("um" in Japanese). Together, these two sounds are said to encompass the entire universe, and are equivalent to the Greek "alpha" and "omega". These lions are based on a pair, carved in wood and dating to the Kamakura period (1185-1333), that originally guarded the Taiho Shrine, Shiga Prefecture, and are now housed in the Kyoto National Museum. Also known as karashishi, or simply shishi in Japan, in the west they are commonly referred to as foo dogs or foo lions. These ferocious creatures are considered guardians of sacred spaces, and are usually placed at the entrance to shrines or temples. A nine character inscription in Chinese seal script has been cast to the underside of each lion, reading "Teishitsu gigeiin Ishikawa Komei" (Imperial Artist Ishikawa Komei). Ishikawa Komei (1852 - 1913) was a renowned Meiji Period artist, known mostly for his carved works in ivory, though he worked across a wide spectrum of media, including bronze, plaster, and paint. Originally trained as a painter of the Kano school, he taught as a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, where a bust in his honor stands today. When the Imperial Artist system was implemented in 1891, Komei was one the first to receive the honored title. His bronze works are considered quite rare. Provenance: Peter Rosenberg / Vallin Galleries Christie's New York, 2003

Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Meiji (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Cast,Gilt
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
after 1891
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor rubbing to the gilt.
Seller Location:
Austin, TX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU89475162313

More From This Seller

View All

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 Tokyo School Bronze Okimono of a Farmer, Meiji Period

$2,450

Pair of Japanese Cast Bronze Figures of Niō, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A well cast pair of Japanese mixed metal okimono figures of Buddhist guardians, known as Nio or Dharmapala, protectors of Buddhist faith, Meiji Period, Japan. The smiling bronze g...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Japanese Cast Bronze Figures of Niō, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

$1,750 / set

Japanese Miyao Style Gilt Bronze Samurai Archer, Meiji Period, Japan

By Eisuke Miyao 1

Located in Austin, TX

A spectacular Japanese cast, carved, and parcel gilt bronze sculpture, okimono, of a kneeling samurai archer, signed Kiyotsugu (died 1894), Meiji ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Miyao Style Gilt Bronze Samurai Archer, Meiji Period, Japan

$12,500

Japanese Bronze Okimono of a Carp, Taisho Period, Early 20th Century, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

An elegant Japanese cast bronze okimono of a swimming carp, Taisho Period (1912 - 1926), early 20th century, Japan. The graceful fish portrayed realistically in motion, as if swimmi...

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Okimono of a Carp, Taisho Period, Early 20th Century, Japan

$2,900

Pair of Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo Courtier Dolls

Located in Austin, TX

Two exquisite Japanese musha ningyo dolls, crafted as courtiers, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The older man can be identified as the h...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Shell, Brocade, Silk, Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper

Pair of Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo Courtier Dolls

$6,500 / set

Thai Gilt Bronze Buddha Marvijaya, Rattanakosin Period, 19th Century, Thailand

Located in Austin, TX

A lovely Thai lacquered and gilt cast bronze figure of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, portrayed in Maravijaya, Rattanakosin Period, early to mid 19th century, Thailand. The B...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Thai Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Thai Gilt Bronze Buddha Marvijaya, Rattanakosin Period, 19th Century, Thailand

$3,700

Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya

$9,352

Two Rare Japanese Izumo Clay Dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Meiji Period

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

Two rare Japanese Izumo clay dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Nara Prefecture, Meiji period. Material and simple execution impart a flavor of antiquity and great decorative power. Empero...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Clay

Two Rare Japanese Izumo Clay Dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Meiji Period

$695 / set

Large and Impressive Meiji Period Bronze Bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuh

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A large and impressive Meiji period bronze bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuha Company, the animal powerfully modelled with his head low and turned s...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Large and Impressive Meiji Period Bronze Bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuh

$25,978

Japanese Lacquer, Bone and "Root" Wood Screen Meiji Period

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A Japanese lacquer, bone and "Root" wood screen Meiji period, late 19th century of rectangular form, inlaid and applied in relief with finely carved bone with large leafy peony spr...

Category

Antique 19th Century Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer, Bone and "Root" Wood Screen Meiji Period

$28,500

Meiji Bronze Fisherman Okimono, Sealed Masatsune Saku

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Meiji Bronze Fisherman Okimono, Sealed Masatsune saku Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912) A fine and rare Meiji period bronze Okimono of a fisherman by Masatsune Saku, originating from Japan and crafted during the Meiji period (1868–1922). This exquisite piece is a notable example of the Tokyo School's artistry, dating to the late 19th century. The Okimono depicts a fisherman seated on a four-rung ladder, holding a bamboo fishing rod...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Bronze Fisherman Okimono, Sealed Masatsune Saku

$2,360 Sale Price

27% Off

A Japanese bronze of two rats (Meiji Period)

Located in London, GB

Set contains two: A Japanese bronze of a rat, Meiji Period, signed, approximately 9cm long x 8cm high and another Japanese bronze of a rat, signed, seated on its back legs, brown pat...

Category