What is a Japanese bronze okimono?

An okimono is a Japanese decorative sculpture designed specifically for display in domestic settings, which gained prominence during the Meiji period (18681912) as master metalworkers transitioned from samurai armour production to decorative art objects.

What materials and techniques were used to create antique Japanese bronze sculptures?

These sculptures were generally produced using lost-wax casting methods and refined with cold-chiseling and hand-engraving to create textured details like animal fur, followed by chemical patination to establish dark tonal variations.

How do you identify authentic Meiji period Japanese bronze pieces?

Authentic period bronzes often feature incised or cast artist seals, high-density metal construction, intricate surface chasing, and genuine age-related wear or oxidation on unpolished undersides.

How can a Japanese bronze sculpture be styled in a modern interior?

Place the object as a tactile accent on a wooden sideboard, deep bookshelf, or central mantelpiece, anchoring the room scheme alongside stone, timber, or linen textures.

How should antique cast bronze sculptures be cleaned and preserved?

Dust the surface regularly with a dry, soft-bristled brush or microfibre cloth and apply a sparingly thin layer of microcrystalline wax to protect the natural patination from atmospheric humidity.

for sale €28,665 $31,115

£24,500

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

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Patinated Bronze Okimono

Meiji Period Bronze Sculpture

Id #SA1205754

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Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

Name: Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1205754
Price: 24500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

Description

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this most captivating Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze study of bears upon a rocky outcrop. The well recorded artist Kaniya Kuniharu has captured in exquisite detail the most enchanting scene of an adult bear attempting to catch a fish as its cub looks on. There seems little doubt that the cub is learning its parents skills to hunt what will become its staple diet, wild salmon. The bears fur and facial features rendered in fine detail, the menacing claws razor sharp. The cubs curious facial expression really does bring this most natural scene to life . Quite simply a captivating Tokyo school okimono that is sure to appeal to a wider audience. Fully artist signed to the rear.

Literature :

”Kaniya Kuniharu was one of the foremost craftsmen in cast bronze of the Meiji Period. He had been taught by two particularly eminent artists, Takamura Koun (1852-1934) and Otake Norikuni (b.1852). Koun, a master of wood sculpture, had been appointed Professor of sculpture at the founding of the Tokyo Art School in 1889. “Kuniharu himself was one of the founding members of the Tokyo Chukin Kai (Tokyo Cast Metal Association) in 1907, together with Oshima Joun (1858-1940).

Kuniharu won several awards at the expositions of the Meiji period including a first prize in 1894, he exhibited at both national and international exhibitions, including the Paris exposition of 1900.

His work is also featured in the Khalili collections, metalwork II- page 99, as well as Splendors of Imperial Japan, Arts of the Meiji period from the Naseer. D. Khalili collections, p370 and p372, nos.263 and 264.

For a slightly larger example of this exact group please see: Bonhams London Fine Japanese Art, Nov 5th 2009 , lot 280 , sold for £33,600 inc bp.

Condition report :

Very fine condition throughout.

Approximate Sizes :

Width : 20 1/2" 52 cm

Height : 14 1/2" 37 cm

Depth : 14 1/2" 37 cm

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

Physical Dimensions

Height

37cm (14.57")

Width

52cm (20.47")

Depth

37cm (14.57")

Declaration

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this Japanese Bronze Bear Okimono to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1205754

Dealers Internal Reference

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Dealers Notes

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

Description

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this most captivating Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze study of bears upon a rocky outcrop.

“

The well recorded artist Kaniya Kuniharu has captured in exquisite detail the most enchanting scene of an adult bear attempting to catch a fish as its cub looks on.

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

There seems little doubt that the cub is learning its parents skills to hunt what will become its staple diet, wild salmon. The bears fur and facial features rendered in fine detail, the menacing claws razor sharp. The cubs curious facial expression really does bring this most natural scene to life . Quite simply a captivating Tokyo school okimono that is sure to appeal to a wider audience. Fully artist signed to the rear.

fig 1. A dark brown cast bronze Japanese okimono sculpture depicting two bears perched upon a textured rocky outcrop. — fig 1. Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

Literature :

”Kaniya Kuniharu was one of the foremost craftsmen in cast bronze of the Meiji Period. He had been taught by two particularly eminent artists, Takamura Koun (1852-1934) and Otake Norikuni (b.1852). Koun, a master of wood sculpture, had been appointed Professor of sculpture at the founding of the Tokyo Art School in 1889. “Kuniharu himself was one of the founding members of the Tokyo Chukin Kai (Tokyo Cast Metal Association) in 1907, together with Oshima Joun (1858-1940).

fig 2. A dark brown cast bronze Japanese okimono sculpture depicting two bears perched upon a textured rocky outcrop. — fig 2. Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

Kuniharu won several awards at the expositions of the Meiji period including a first prize in 1894, he exhibited at both national and international exhibitions, including the Paris exposition of 1900.

fig 3. A dark brown cast bronze Japanese okimono sculpture depicting two bears perched upon a textured rocky outcrop. — fig 3. Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

His work is also featured in the Khalili collections, metalwork II- page 99, as well as Splendors of Imperial Japan, Arts of the Meiji period from the Naseer. D. Khalili collections, p370 and p372, nos.263 and 264.