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ID #SA1188915
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£250
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Japanese Kibori Kuma – Hand-carved Bear
For sale by Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
for sale €293     $318
£250
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 585 items
  • About Us
    A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft
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Id #SA1188915
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Japanese Kibori Kuma – Hand-carved Bear

19th century
Description

A charming Japanese carved wooden bear in excellent antique condition. This bear is shown in a low, powerful stance as it grasps a fish in its mouth. The sculptor has worked the timber with remarkable precision, creating deeply textured fur, finely cut claws, and beautifully rendered scales on the fish. The bear’s lowered head and forward-leaning posture give the piece a vivid sense of movement, capturing the moment of the catch with striking realism. The natural shifts in tone throughout the wood beautifully enhance the carving’s depth. Firmly rooted in the Kibori Kuma tradition, it reflects Hokkaido’s rich folk-art heritage and the superb craftsmanship for which these carvings are admired.

Internal reference : SAI4040

Physical Dimensions
Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
39cm (15.35")
Depth
26cm (10.24")
Declaration

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Japanese Carved Wooden Bear to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1188915
Dealers Internal Reference
SAI4040
Dealers Notes

All measurements are done to the widest point .

Please feel free to contact me with any enquiry or for more pictures .

Delivery :

We can arrange to deliver any where in the world just let us know your destination and we will get a quote for you .

Here at Sinclair's Antiques and Interiors we do our utmost best to ensure all our items are described and photographed to show any flaws or damage such as shrinkage splits, losses or lifts to veneer, repairs or marks. However giving the age and the fact that each piece will have had years of polishing to create its own individual character we cannot describe every minor mark separately and therefore recommend you either visit our warehouse or request extra photographs.

We offer a 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with any of your items purchased from us however cannot refund the return shipping cost.

If you are not sure please do not purchase without contacting us.

Description
A charming Japanese carved wooden bear in excellent antique condition. This bear is shown in a low, powerful stance as it grasps a fish in its mouth.
“
The sculptor has worked the timber with remarkable precision, creating deeply textured fur, finely cut claws, and beautifully rendered scales on the fish.
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

The bear’s lowered head and forward-leaning posture give the piece a vivid sense of movement, capturing the moment of the catch with striking realism. The natural shifts in tone throughout the wood beautifully enhance the carving’s depth. Firmly rooted in the Kibori Kuma tradition, it reflects Hokkaido’s rich folk-art heritage and the superb craftsmanship for which these carvings are admired.

Internal reference : SAI4040

Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
39cm (15.35")
Depth
26cm (10.24")
Date of Manufacture

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Japanese Carved Wooden Bear to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1188915
Dealers Internal Ref
SAI4040
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors Profile Page

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A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout.
1 / 8
Archive I A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout.

Japanese Kibori Kuma – Hand-carved Bear

Archive II A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View II
Archive III A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View III
Archive IV A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View IV
Archive V A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View V
Archive VI A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View VI
Archive VII A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View VII
Archive VIII A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Telephone 07977 119 787
Location
91 Main Street
Thornton
Fife
KY1 4AQ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 585
Items Sold 2,486
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: 91 Main Street, Thornton, Fife , KY1 4AQ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
585
Sold
2,486
A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout.
Japanese Kibori Kuma – Hand-Carved Bear
Ref: SA1188915
A Japanese hand-carved wooden bear figure clutching a salmon fish in its jaws, featuring chiselled fur texture throughout.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
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Detail View 5
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Detail View 7
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWood Carvings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Folk Art
  • MaterialCarved Wood, Dark Stain
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsChiselled fur texture, Bear catching salmon, Hand-carved detailing
  • SizeH 22 cm (9 in) x W 39 cm (15 in) x D 26 cm (10 in)

This nineteenth-century Japanese folk art wood carving depicts a bear in a low, powerful stance holding a salmon in its jaws. The piece is rendered in dark brown carved wood with a dark stain, showcasing chiselled fur texture, finely cut claws, and detailed scales on the fish. Natural shifts in tone highlight the deep texturing throughout the sculpture, while the lowered head and forward-leaning posture convey a vivid sense of movement. Measuring 22 cm high by 39 cm wide and 26 cm deep, the object sits comfortably on a bookshelf in a gentleman's library. It brings an authentic touch of Hokkaido heritage to interior spaces without requiring extensive surface area.

FAQs

Kibori Kuma are traditional Japanese hand-carved wooden bear sculptures, typically depicted capturing a salmon. Originating in Hokkaido during the 1920s, these folk art items were initially crafted by farmers during winter months as a regional handicraft.

These figures are sculpted from solid timber native to Japan, such as cedar, pine, or katsura. Craftsmen utilise specialized gouges to create textured fur patterns before applying wood stains and clear protective wax.

Authentic carvings display distinct chisel marks along the fur structure, natural wood grain variation, and weight consistent with solid timber. Many original Hokkaido examples feature maker marks or stamps carved into the underside.

Incorporate a carved wooden bear into contemporary or eclectic interiors by placing it on an open bookshelf, mantelpiece, or console table. Pair the figure with neutral ceramic vessels or architectural books to highlight the dark wood texture.

Dust the sculpture regularly using a soft brush to clear debris from deep chisel grooves. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent timber splitting, treating occasionally with clear beeswax.
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