Delightful Japanese Iron Panel of Puppies- Funakoshi Shunmin

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this most charming late Meiji Period (1868-1912) circular wall panel upon which is housed an iron plaque depicting the most charming scene of mischievous puppies pulling wisteria from above, the artist Shunmin has painstakingly carved this iron panel in exquisite detail using a technique referred to as katakiri-bori , literally carving pictures with sharp chisels, the puppies are cast in low relief and are further highlighted with mixed metal eyes, the wisteria is picked out in gold and silver. The rectangular plaque is fitted to its original circular hardwood plaque, presumably a native cherry wood looking at the colour and grain, this circular panel then suspends on the two hooks as a wall decoration, artist signed and sealed to the front and comes complete within its original signed tomobako for safe storage and transportation.

Literature :

Artist Signed: Shunmin ?? with the seal ?? Kagaku

Funakoshi Shunmin, a student of Ikeda Minkoku I and II, who made sword fittings, inro and other small items. The artist is listed in the Robert Haynes directory of metalworkers, he also has works recorded in the Wrangham collections as well as a mixed metal inro depicting a pheasant, housed within the collection of the British museum.

He was a metalwork specialist who worked in Chayamachi in the Shitaya district of Tokyo. He exhibited frequently at the national exhibitions, including at the 3rd Naikoku Kangyo Hakurankai (National Industrial Exposition) held in Tokyo in 1890. He showed at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, at the 4th Naikoku Kangyo Hakurankai in Kyoto in 1895, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, at the 5th Naikoku Kangyo Hakurankai in Osaka in 1903, at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis in 1904, and at the Japan-British Exhibition in London in 1910. Later in his life, he returned to the Japanese government-sponsored exhibitions with the Kaiso Teiten in the spring of 1936, followed by the 1st, 2nd, and the 3rd Shin-Bunten in 1937 – 1939, and finally at the Hoshukuten in 1940. At these late exhibitions he was accorded mukansa or non-vetted status in keeping with his high reputation and skill.

Provenance : 

I purchased this most beautiful object in a gallery in Kyoto during my recent visit. I found the charming subject combined with the quality of the katakiri-bori carving just irresistible.

Approximate Sizes : 

Panel Diameter : 16" 42 cm

Plaque Height : 8 3/8" 20.7 cm

Plaque Width : 7 1/4"  18.5 cm

Free worldwide delivery and a certificate of authenticity are included within the price of this item.

Available during usual business hours 7 days a week by prior appointment only.

Available out of hours for general enquiries : sales@stagsheadantiques.com or steve@steveslyjapaneseart.com

Tel 07774-635918