As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this very large and imposing Meiji period 1868-1912 , bronze okimono of a hunter carrying his spoils whilst walking across a bridge in the form of a root wood base, the fine quality bronze, although unsigned, is certainly by a very competent Tokyo school artist, I will offer a comparison later in the description, the hunter has a wonderful but charming craggy face, he sports a goatee beard and mustache with his hair tied back impeccably, the burly chap, suitably clad for the rigors of his trade requires both hands to balance the rifle over his left shoulder, this in turn is supporting the weight of the fruits of his labour, a very large deer !! . He carries a gourd shaped drinking vessel and wicker food bag to his waist, the artist implies that he is probably walking over a natural fallen branch to cross a stream , the highly skilled artist has captured this story in a superb realistic manner .
Literature :
We have tracked another example of this hunter upon a carved wood bridge, again unsigned , please see The Barrie Davies Oriental Art Exhibition catalogue for 13th Dec 1989-19th Jan 1990 , titled “Japanese Metalwork of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) 30.5” 77.5 cm
Provenance:
Formerly part of a high quality private UK collection .
Subsequently having been supplied by ourselves in March 2017, and now returned as part of that deceased estate collection .
Condition report :
The condition of the bronze is superb and original with a lovely rich patination, the wooden base is substantial and polished to a high standard , we have replaced the old metal lugs protruding from the hunters feet with more substantial nuts and bolts, thus enabling secure locating of the heavy bronze to the wooden base, and to assist with transportation.
Approximate Maximum sizes:
Height: 34 1/4″ 87 cm
Width: 32 1/2″ 82.5 cm
Depth: 15″ 38 cm
Free worldwide delivery and a certificate of authenticity are included within the price of this item.