Excellent Japanese Antique (Early 20thc) Bronze Sculpture, Hotei, Tsunemitsu

1900 - 1920

Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Description

Fine Japanese antique (early 20thC) bronze sculpture of Hotei by Tsunemitsu, depicted pointing at the moon during the Tsukimi Festival (‘moon viewing’) and holding a staff in his left hand. Signed. 27.5cm high, x 14cm wide x 12cm deep, weight 1.8kg.

Good condition with some surface wear.

One of the Seven Lucky Gods, Hotei is the God of contentment and happiness, guardian of children, and patron of bartenders. He’s distinguished by his large belly and his equally enormous alms bag, which he carried everywhere. His very name is a pun: Hotei literally means ‘cloth sack’ and by extension, ‘glutton’. Hotei was a favourite subject for Zen monk-painters in China and Japan as early as the 13th century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

27.5cm (10.83")

Width

14cm (5.51")

Depth

12cm (4.72")

Declaration

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1196942

Dealers Internal Reference

AD1362

Description

fig 1. Excellent Japanese Antique (early 20thC) Bronze Sculpture, Hotei, Tsunemitsu — fig 1. Excellent Japanese Antique (Early 20thc) Bronze Sculpture, Hotei, Tsunemitsu

Good condition with some surface wear.

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One of the Seven Lucky Gods, Hotei is the God of contentment and happiness, guardian of children, and patron of bartenders.

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

He’s distinguished by his large belly and his equally enormous alms bag, which he carried everywhere. His very name is a pun: Hotei literally means ‘cloth sack’ and by extension, ‘glutton’. Hotei was a favourite subject for Zen monk-painters in China and Japan as early as the 13th century.