Modern Sculptures and Carvings

The charming figure, carved from a single piece of wood is exceptionally carved showing the male figure with humorous expression holding two Rabbits one by the ears and the second under his arm. A third Rabbit stands at the feet of the male looking up, each rabbit with a different expression. The male figure is wearing traditional Japanese attire with his hair tied back stood upon a naturalistic base. The figure dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Notes The Rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature in the Japanese Zodiac signs which follows the Chinese astrological system along with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Such division is connected with the Jupiter cycle around the Sun, which lasts about 12 years. As 2023 is the year of the Rabbit...

Japanese Okimono sculpture of a father and son. Very rare and highly detailed sculpture, created during the meiji period (1868-1912) in the imperial Japan, circa 1890. This sculptural Okimono is very well realized and exceptionally proportionate. Show the figures of a father and a son playing, with happiness and smiling. The father hold a big basket at his back and both personages are wearing kimonos richly engraved. This piece was made from a carving with exceptional craftsmanship and intricate details. This sculpture stand itself on his own base and have all retain of the applied ochre ink accents. Measures: 130 mm by 45 mm by 53.3 mm (5.1 x 1.75 x 2.1 inches). Weight: 81.30 grams. Note: This kind of family scene is very rare to seen in nineteenth century japanese iconography. Okimono Is a Japanese term meaning for display an ornament; art object; or decorative object, usually displayed in a tokonoma or butsudan "Buddhist altar". It is an ornament or figure, especially one placed in a guest room. An okimono may be a small Japanese carving, similar to but larger than a netsuke. Unlike the netsuke, which had a specific purpose, the okimono is exclusively decorative and was displayed in the tokonoma. During the Meiji period, many okimonos were made for export to the West. Meiji Period This is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization by Western powers to the new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western scientific, technological, philosophical, political, legal, and aesthetic ideas. As a result of such wholesale adoption of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound, and affected its social structure, internal politics, economy, military, and foreign relations...

The Amitabha (Amida in Japanese) Buddha is shown standing with his hands forming the Amida raigo-in mudra. The face has a serene expression, with closed eyes under delicately arched brows and a severe face. The hair is arranged in rows of coils that also cover the "ushnisha", the protuberance on the head. The drapery is folded in elegant pleats falling from the shoulders to the feet. The antique sculpture is placed on a lotus flower which is located on a richly decorated base. Faith in Amida Buddha remained largely confined to a small segment of the Japanese population until the Kamakura Era (1185-1333) when it was popularized by new Pure Land sects committed to bringing Buddhism to the illiterate commoner. These sects expressed concern for the salvation of the ordinary person and stressed pure and simple faith over complicated rites and doctrines. Amida Nyorai...

A wonderful, well-crafted work reminiscent of Isamu Noguchi's early work in bronze. Heavy and solid on a beautiful rosewood base. Apparently unsigned. From a collection of Japanese antiques and...

A very fine and detailed Tokyo School cast bronze okimono (decorative sculpture) of a smiling farmer, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The e...

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

A charming and mischievous pair of Japanese carved, gilt and painted komainu, often mistaken for foo dogs or foo lions, Showa Period, 1920's, Japan. The two komainu, or guardian lions, are portrayed seated upon their haunches, heads slightly turned. The two beasts are well carved, with wonderful musculature, flowing manes, and bushy tails. Their faces a mix of ferocious and comical. The eyes of reverse painted glass with gilt highlights. One is a true komainu, (lion-dog), with a horn on its head, and its mouth closed. The other is a shishi, (lion), with its mouth open, and no horn. The komainu sports a mane and tail pigmented blue with gilt highlights. The shishi sports a mane and tail pigmented green with gilt highlights. Both figures richly gilt in gold lacquer. Komainu are protective beings, similar to foo lions or foo dogs...

A charming Japanese decorative bronze sculpture, okimono, of a gourd, hyotan, by Toyo Japan, Showa Era, circa 1960s, Japan. The realistic okimono, fashio...

Okimono sculpture of a bronze turtle, tail retractable. In Japan, the turtle (kame) is a symbol of longevity and an auspicious animal. It is believed to bring ten thousand years of h...

An antique Okimono (Japanese means artsy display ornament object) displayed on a small custom wood stand from Meiji Period circa early 2oth century. T...

Jizai okimono sculpture of an articulated bronze praying mantis. Insects (mushi) play an important role in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among chi...

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...