Japanese Sculptures

We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair. Andres Kálnay, of Hungarian origin, made around 120 architectural masterpieces, among which the former Munich brewery stands out, he even made the furniture’s design. The German architect, Walter Gropius, director of the Bauhaus, lived in Argentina, where he wrote articles for “Sur” magazine and founded in Buenos Aires, an architectural firm with Franz Möller, who was also an architect, where he built two houses. At the same time several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina, among them we can find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also worked for the Rockefeller family. Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which were chosen by the ladies of High Society in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle. The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, made special pieces for Argentinean mansions. In 1904 the first Jansen branch outside Paris was established in Buenos Aires, as the Argentinean clientele demanded a large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th Century to the mid-20th Century. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique. The brands Maple and Thompson also set up shop in the country. The French plastic artist, Marcel Duchamp moved to Argentina in 1918-1919. Glass signed Gallé, Charder, Leverre, Schneider, Muller and other French firms. They were bought in flower shops and were given to ladies with beautiful floral arrangements. Some furniture manufacturers travelled to international fairs and bough the patterns to produce the furniture in Argentina, such as the furniture firm Englander and Bonta, who bought the patterns ins Italy. It is worth mentioning that in Argentina we have the largest Community of Italians outside...

Sculptural Japanese keyaki wood partition in the style of Nakashima.

Japanese okimono group of animals from the 19th century with sulphide eyes measuring 9.5 cm in height for a terrace of 3 x 5 cm. Signature on the bott...

Black marble of Belgium and bronze sculpture. Carlo Nicoli Workshop, Carrara. Unique piece. Date of creation: 1985. Japanese artist. ...

Dark greenish brown patina with fully articulated body. Purchased in London by past owner.

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 5 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen...

Japanese old man statue, Tenmei Era, dated 1781 represented seated, wearing a long dress, decorated with flowers and foliage, slightly smiling face, glass eyes, wearing a cap, remov...

Vintage Dansk Rhinoceros white Porcelain ceramic Coin bank. Sleek Dansk white Porcelain Rhinoceros Bank, Scandinavian style, Modernist. Unique addition t...

Handcrafted Japanese art rock in its original presentation box. A beautifully made simple form. From the La Jolla estate of Mid-Century Modernist landscape architect...

Massive industrial ceramic glove mold by Japnese manufacturer Shinko, circa 1970s. The piece is a cool decorative item that is in excellent conditio...

A set of Six Takatori Ware plates. One employing the Japanese Kintsugi technique of using gold to repair cracked ceramics. As a philosophy, kintsugi is similar to the Japanese phi...

This fascinating artifact, a hardwood scepter attributed to a Japanese scholar, is a masterful example of late 19th-century craftsmanship. The scepter is distinguished by a striking ...

This exceptional Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts Fukurokuju, the lucky god of wealth and happiness. The figure is very finely carved from a single piece of dense tightly graine...

This pair of technicolor-hued Art Deco angel fish sculptures -- glazed in hues of gold, dark pink, cobalt, sea green and canary -- was made in Japan between 1945 and 1951, when American forces occupied the nation after World War II and required that goods made there be marked "Occupied Japan...

A powerful abstract expressionist caved elm wood sculpture by Japanese artist Takao Kimura, circa 1970s. Carved in two parts, the swooping, concave body plays dramatically with the o...

An exquisite example of an Asaian bronze art this bust of a woman is signed with a monogram on the back. It is mounted to a black wood base.

Sculptural Japanese keyaki wood partition in the style of Nakashima.

Natural driftwood and stone sculpture from Japan. Very good vintage condition. The beautiful form shaped by the nature. Wabi Sabi.

Sculptural Japanese keyaki wood partition in the style of Nakashima.

Japanese Tumulus Period Unglazed Aged Terracotta Haniwa of a Woman’s Head, 3rd/4th Century Tumulus Period (AD 250-552) Haniwa means “circle o...

This most pleasing hand carved hardwood Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts a muscular prowling tiger. Its body is slightly lowered in a stalking position with its mouth open showi...

A rare Edo period bronze vase with Mimikuchi flying handles, with quartered pear shaped body with spiral to the front and back, supported on a flared...

Porcelain Figure of a Dog, 20th Century. Made in Japan

The 1940s Pair of Ceramic Japanese Hand-Painted Hula Girl & Ukulele Boy Souvenir Figurines are vintage collectibles that capture the charm of Hawaiian culture from the mid-century er...

Enameled bronze elephant incense scupture, figure. Either Japanese Cloissone or French Champleve . No makers markings.

PAIR of Asian (probably Japanese) white and black speckled granite sitting foo dog figures resting on a rectangular base (with repairs). Priced Each.

Chinese Ming Dynasty Gilt Iron Head of Buddha, Ca. 17th Century DETAILS Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) DIMENSIONS: Width: 10 inches Wid...

A richly glazed ceramic sculptural slab in the shape of a centerpiece plate by Japanese ceramic artist Yoshikawa Masamichi (1946-). The highly abst...

A contemporary Japanese bamboo sculpture entitled Light at Dawn (Gyoko) made in 2004 by Kawano Shoko (B. 1957). This airy piece is unconventi...

Kokeshi (こけし こけし, kokeshi), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines t...

Japanese Contemporary Grand Pottery Sculpture, Ca. 1980 ABOUT This absolutely unique late 20th Century pottery sculpture with bamboo-styled formed handles features a wonderful artis...

A unique pair of ceramic Asian heads by Japanese artist Fumio Takasugi, circa 1970s. Signed on base. Hand painted with an intricate and stylized design. Th...

Japanese Bronze Elephant Figurine This Japanese bronze elephant figurine strikes a dynamic pose with its trunk raised in an upward gesture. The dark patina of the bronze highlights t...

"Purple Dawn", a ceramic sculpture piece by Japanese potter Kiyoharu Ichino (1957-). Purchased from Touching Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2003. Tradition meets renovation, this sculptural piece with its slab like minimal shape draws the viewer into its mysterious shape that is reminiscent of a monument. Its surface, with the typical Tanba clay fired at very high temperature and completely free of glaze, radiates a subtle metallic sheen that is nearly in a shade of purple. This piece was purchased from Touching Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2003. Artist's bio from the gallery and the exhibition: "Kiyoharu Ichino was born in 1957 in Tachikui into an extended family steeped in pottery-making tradition. He learned all aspects of Tanba pottery since childhood. When he was twenty, he moved to Seto to study pottery under a master of Akatsu-yaki. Upon returning to Tachikui, he launched his career with the Tanba Group Kiln. In 1983, he established his own kiln and began showing in galleries all over Japan. His works have been selected repeatedly for the prestigious juried Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition sponsored by the Japan Crafts Association. In 1995, he was nominated to be a permanent member of The Japan Crafts Association, an honor bestowed to the most experienced and talented artists. Traditional Tanba pottery is fired unglazed at very high temperature in large wood-fueled kilns. Ichino uses both an anagama (hole kiln) and a noborigama (climbing kiln), burning almost a thousand bundles of wood over several days to bring out the unique personalities of Tanba clay, which is renowned for its rich texture and deep purplish brown colors. Many of his pieces show silvery fire-marks like swirling mists left by the wood fire. His pieces appear to be integral parts of the clay rather than separate objects made from it. To show the unique clay texture, he often includes seemingly unfinished edges in his designs, exposing the rough clay body. Despite the high level of sophistication and innovation, Ichino's works maintain a strong connection with the ancient Tanba pottery tradition. Ichino should be no stranger to many Santa Fe residents. His work has been exhibited both in Touching Stone Gallery and as part of a major exhibition in the New Mexico Museum of International Folk Art in 2006. About Tanba ware...

Shinto carving of figure referred to as Father Japan. Heian period (794 to 1185) sculpture made of hinoki wood in single piece construction called ichiboku...

Carved and colourfully painted wooden figure of the Japanese Buddhist deity Kannon with a height of 49 cm (height with base: 56.5 cm). Kannon 觀音 (‘perceiving the prayers of the world...

Rare and unusual hexagonal Buddhist base for a statue with a recumbent shi-shi (guardian lion dog), gilded and carved with inset glass eyes and painted with mineral pigments. Most likely the base to a sculpture of Monju Bosatsu...

Japanese Edo Period Carved Seated Fasting Buddha, 18th C./Early 19th C. DIMENSIONS Height: 9.5 inches (24 cm) Width: 7 inches (18 cm) Depth: 5 inches (12.8 cm) ABOUT This early Edo...

Beautiful Porcelain Horse Okimono object by Shozan Very good condition Mid-20th Century Size: 7cm x 16.5cm , H 20.5 cm / 3 x 6.5 inch, H. 8 i...

Intricately carved and finished with gilt black lacquer, this seated figure depicts the bodhisattva Guanyin, known in Japanese Buddhism as Kannon. Described as the "Buddha of Infinite Compassion," Kannon is the embodiment of mercy and makes himself available to all who call upon him with all their mind. Kannon is depicted here seated in diamond position upon a double lotus plinth, set above a stepped base. He is dressed in gracefully draped robes and wears a tall crown bearing a minuscule figure of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light. He has a serene expression of calm and holds his right hand in the abhaya mudra, a gesture of comfort, blessing, and protection. Backed by a magnificent leaf-form nimbus, this Kannon figure...

Rare and important Japanese sculpture / statue / okimono in blackened and carved wood, depicting 1 lion, 2 birds (crows or other birds of prey) and 1 snake held in the claws of one o...

This large antique Meiji period Japanese patinated and polychromed bronze is signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have been made in approximately 1880 in the period Meiji styl...

This hand-carved wooden kimono sculpture is a contemporary piece of art made by award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa. Entitled “Hagi”, this piece was cre...

Woman with a Basket of Flowers - Kakuoka Akimitsu, Japan 1930-40 Woman with a Basket of Flowers, Kakuoka Akimitsu, Carved Wood, Japan circa 1930-40 This majestic sculpture, carved fr...

Very fine Japanese bronze of two territorial beasts, on a decoratively carved teak base. The base is 34 inches long, the bronze is 29 inches long.

Beautiful Porcelain Dog Okimono object by Shozan Very good condition Mid-20th Century Size: 22cm x 8cm , H 15.5 cm / 8.7 x 3 inch, H. 6 inch ...

Well done, very sharp detailed cast bronze figure with inlay of silver metal on scroll, 1920s- 1930s. Beautiful golden patina on head and bottom from years of handling. 8.3 lbs.   

Japanese Bronze standing duck. Standing neck raised and mouth open with detailed feathers. 14.5 high.

A Meiji period bronze sculpture of a mother and son by Atsuyoshi, she is shown seated on a gnarled rootwood base, with her arm round a crying boy standing by her knee and offering her breast, wearing a short robe, trousers and a cloth incised with Mount Fuji around her head, and bare feet. Signed Atsuyoshi saku, Maruki Shachu seisaku (??????????? (??????????). Japanese, circa 1880. Footnote: Atsuyoshi is known for a number of finely modelled bronze studies of both wild and domesticated animals, almost all of them made for the Tokyo based Maruki Company. This is therefore an unusual subject matter for him and Japanese bronzes in general , however Oliver Impey and Joyce Seaman, in ‘Japanese Decorative Arts of the Meiji Period’ (in the Ashmolean Museum Collections), pp. 68-69, include a bronze group of a woman who has just finished breast feeding...

Antique Japanese patinated bronze eagle Japanese, c. 1900 Height 54cm, width 67cm, depth 32cm This fine and naturalistic Meiji period bronze...

Beautiful African tribal vase with a face; the piece is very well done. Very cool unique piece. Measures: Height 52 cm. Diameter 14 cm. Weight ...

Beautiful Porcelain Monkey Okimono object by Shozan Very good condition Mid-20th Century Size: 10cm x 15cm , H 14 cm / 4 x 6 inch, H. 5.5 in...

A charming Meiji period bronze of a boy collecting sweet chestnuts by Seiya, he carries a basket and is looking down at an insect crawling over his hand, he is also evidently wearing...

Created in the late 19th century during Japan's Meiji period, this petite leather tobacco pouch is accompanied by a small, wooden netsuke charm. ...

A large and impressive woven bamboo sculpture by Japanese bamboo artist Yamaguchi Ryuun (born 1940-) entitled "Black Wave". The piece was made in 2000 and originally purchased from Tai Modern...

Beautiful Porcelain Rooster Okimono object by Shozan Very good condition mid-20th century Size: 8cm x 11cm , H 22 cm / 3 x 4.3 inch, H. 8.6 inch Weight: 320g ( 0.7 lb). ...

This superb and rare pair of Japanese Meiji period bronze bookends are cast in solid bronze and depict a pair of Lions, with their heads raised. These finely sculpted pieces are beau...

An exceptional and wood statue of Buddhism Guardian Seitaka Doji from Japan circa Edo period (1603-1868), likely the earlier part of 17th century. One of two chief attendants of Fudou Myouou (the other being Kongara Doji), the name of Seitaka Doji is a transliteration of Sanskrit "Cetaka", meaning servant, slave, and he is said to personify expedient action. He is most commonly found on the right side of Fudou, together with Kongara Doji on the left, forming the Immovable triad, Fudou Sanzon, the terror of evil doers. Seitaka largely adheres to the iconography of a wrathful youth with fleshy body and face, skin in the color of a red lotus, has his hair tied in five knots, and holds a vajra in his left hand and a vajra-club in his right hand, but the actual artistic representations of him in Japan do...

Antique 19th century Japanese bronze horse on hand-carved wooden base.    

A ceramic square plate with white-celadon glaze by Japanese potter Yoshikawa Masamichi (1946-). The sharp-edged plate features a concaved center an...