0
33,764  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 90  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Latest
Price Low
Price High
sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1214994
FOR SALE
£995
Email
Save
Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers by Tsunemitsu 常光
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
for sale €1,164     $1,264
£995
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealers Stock Page
Relevant Links
Id #SA1214994
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers by Tsunemitsu 常光

1900 - 1920
Description

A Japanese bronze model of an elephant fighting two tigers, cast during the Meiji period (1868–1912), bearing the foundry mark Tsunemitsu (常光).

Tsunemitsu 常光 (Tsunemitsu) is the maker’s / foundry mark for Tsukahara Tsunemitsu 塚原常光, father and son master casters from Takaoka, active across two generations during the Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa eras.

Takaoka was one of Japan’s principal bronze casting centres, and works bearing the Tsunemitsu mark are recognised for their quality and were produced for both domestic use and export markets.

The dynamic subject reflects the period’s increasing interest in naturalistic animal studies. Following the opening of Tokyo Zoo in 1882, Japanese artists were able to observe exotic animals directly, contributing to improved anatomical accuracy in sculptural depictions of elephants, tigers, and other non-native species.

Note: The tusks on this piece are synthetic replacements.

Dimensions:

Bronze

• Height: 15.7 cm / 6.18 in

• Width: 16 cm / 6.3 in

• Depth: 10 cm / 3.94 in

Base

• Height: 2 cm / 0.79 in

• Width: 25 cm / 9.84 in

• Depth: 18.2 cm / 7.17 in

Declaration

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables has dated this Meiji Bronze Elephant Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1214994
Dealers Notes

Delivery:

Free UK mainland delivery (excluding Scottish islands and other UK islands).

International delivery available — please contact us or request a quote.

Description
A Japanese bronze model of an elephant fighting two tigers, cast during the Meiji period (1868–1912), bearing the foundry mark Tsunemitsu (常光).

Tsunemitsu 常光 (Tsunemitsu) is the maker’s / foundry mark for Tsukahara Tsunemitsu 塚原常光, father and son master casters from Takaoka, active across two generations during the Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa eras.

“
Takaoka was one of Japan’s principal bronze casting centres, and works bearing the Tsunemitsu mark are recognised for their quality and were produced for both domestic use and export markets.
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
fig 1. A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.
fig 1. Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers by Tsunemitsu 常光

The dynamic subject reflects the period’s increasing interest in naturalistic animal studies. Following the opening of Tokyo Zoo in 1882, Japanese artists were able to observe exotic animals directly, contributing to improved anatomical accuracy in sculptural depictions of elephants, tigers, and other non-native species.

fig 2. A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.
fig 2. Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers by Tsunemitsu 常光

Note: The tusks on this piece are synthetic replacements.

Dimensions:

Bronze

• Height: 15.7 cm / 6.18 in

• Width: 16 cm / 6.3 in

• Depth: 10 cm / 3.94 in

Base

• Height: 2 cm / 0.79 in

• Width: 25 cm / 9.84 in

• Depth: 18.2 cm / 7.17 in

Date of Manufacture

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables has dated this Meiji Bronze Elephant Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1214994
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.
1 / 8
Archive I A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.

Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers by Tsunemitsu 常光

Archive II A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View II
Archive III A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View III
Archive IV A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View IV
Archive V A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View V
Archive VI A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View VI
Archive VII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View VII
Archive VIII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Telephone 01553 601578
Location
West Norfolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/knightfineantiquescollectable
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 62
Items Sold 187
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: West Norfolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/knightfineantiquescollectable
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
62
Sold
187
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.
Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers By Tsunemitsu 常光
Ref: SA1214994
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an elephant defending itself against two tigers, mounted on a polished natural edge wooden base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

Produced during the Meiji era in Japan (18681912), these bronze works reflect a historic transition where traditional sword-smithing techniques were redirected into fine artistic metalwork and realistic animal studies known as okimono.

Craftsmen utilised lost-wax casting methods combined with patination processes using tea, iron sulphate, or natural acids to achieve deep dark tones, frequently detailing features with inlaid bone or ivory tusks and carved wooden display bases.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-chiselled surface textures, original dark patination without artificial lacquer coatings, significant physical weight, and often carry an incised or cast artist signature.

These sculptural items serve as focal decorative accents when positioned on a dark wood mantelpiece, console table, or within a curated bookshelf display to contrast against minimalist contemporary backdrops.

Dust regularly using a soft microfibre cloth or natural bristle brush, avoiding harsh chemical polishes, and apply a light coat of microcrystalline wax annually to protect the original patinated surface.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories