An particularly fine early 20th Century Japanese bronze study of an Asian elephant with trunk raised. The bronze exhibiting crisp hand finished surface detail capturing the texture of an elephant skin and with very fine colour, signed underneath. An excellent example of bronze casting from the 'Tokyo School' during the early 20th C, late Meji period.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Height: 29 cm
Width: 35 cm
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Circa: 1910
Materials: Bronze
SKU: 9151
ABOUT
Tokyo School
The Tokyo School of bronze sculpture emerged during the Meiji period (1868-1912), a time of unprecedented cultural exchange and modernization in Japan. This artistic movement, characterized by its fusion of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Western influences, played a significant role in shaping Japan's artistic landscape.
At the forefront of the Tokyo School were pioneering artists such as Seiya Saku, who excelled in the intricate art of bronze sculpture. Drawing inspiration from Japan's rich cultural heritage and the influx of Western artistic techniques, these sculptors created works of unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship.
The Tokyo School artists were known for their meticulous attention to detail and technical proficiency in bronze casting. They mastered traditional Japanese methods of metalworking while incorporating innovations from Europe, resulting in sculptures that seamlessly blended Eastern and Western aesthetics.
Themes explored by Tokyo School sculptors were diverse, ranging from depictions of Japanese mythology and folklore to representations of everyday life in rapidly modernizing Japan. Each sculpture told a story, capturing moments of beauty, drama, and introspection.
One of the distinguishing features of Tokyo School bronze sculpture was its ability to evoke emotion and convey subtle nuances through the medium of bronze. Sculptors employed dynamic poses, intricate facial expressions, and delicate gestures to imbue their creations with life and vitality.
The Tokyo School's influence extended beyond Japan, with its sculptures garnering international acclaim and recognition. Exhibitions showcasing Tokyo School artworks toured Europe and the United States, introducing Western audiences to the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic sensibility of Japanese bronze sculpture.
Japanese Okimono Okimono is a Japanese term meaning “ornament for display; objet d’art; decorative object”, typically displayed in a tokonoma “alcove” or butsudan “Buddhist altar”.The Japanese okimono compounds oku “put; place; set; lay out; assign; station; leave” and mono “thing; object; article”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the loanword okimono, “A standing ornament or figure, especially one put in a guest room of a house”, and records the first usage in 1886 by William Anderson. Japanese okimono may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than netsuke. Unlike netsuke, which had a specific purpose, Japanese okimono were purely decorative and were displayed in the tokonoma. During the Meiji period many Japanese okimono were made for export to the west.
