Japanese Bronze Tiger Okimono - Showa Era

 An excellent antique Japanese Showa era cast bronze tiger okimono. He stands powerful with his mouth open, growling with legs bent and ready to strike. This piece exemplifies Japanese craftmanship and realism with highly detailed rich patinated stripes down the length of his body created using acid etching. 

The belly is signed Tadamitsu 忠光. Comes with its original box. Although this style of sculpture became popular in the early 20th century, Tadamitsu was clearly a master of his craft with his pieces fetching good prices at auction. 

It is likely it dates to the late Meiji period. The Meiji era was a period of great change in Japan as it opened its ports to the West and transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. An appetite for Japonisme seized the West and as the foreign market grew the Meiji government actively promoted and funded the production and export of Japonisme work. 

Dimensions:

50 x 10 x 22 (wxdxh cms)

Box dimensions: 51 x 18 x 26 (wxdxh cms)

Condition & Provenance:

Excellent condition and includes original box. Small variance in black content of eyes. Purchased in Japan and then purchased at auction from an English private collection, Somerset.

From Japan

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