What is a meiji bronze statue?

A meiji bronze statue is a Japanese metalwork sculpture produced during the Meiji period, depicting animals, human figures, or mythical creatures. These pieces range from delicate tabletop okimono to monumental garden ornaments. Craftsmen utilised techniques like lost-wax casting and patination to achieve high levels of realism in subjects such as elephants, eagles, and monkeys.

How were these statues used?

Many smaller pieces served as okimono, decorative ornaments placed in domestic interiors for contemplation and aesthetic enjoyment. Larger figures and pairs of geese were created for gardens and courtyards. Export demand in the West led Japanese workshops to produce varied scales, from cabinet sculptures to lifesize garden statuary.

How do I identify a meiji period piece?

Identification relies on stylistic markers such as naturalistic animal anatomy, mixed-metal details, and dark patinated surfaces typical of late nineteenth-century Japanese foundries. Many pieces bear artist signatures or foundry marks on the base or underside. Materials like shakudo inlays and root wood bases also point toward this specific era of production.

How do I live with bronze sculptures?

Bronze sculptures require stable indoor conditions away from excessive moisture to preserve the original patination and mixed-metal inlays. Dusting with a soft, dry cloth is sufficient for routine maintenance. Larger garden pieces need protection from harsh winter frost if kept outdoors year-round.

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Meiji Bronze Statue

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A meiji bronze statue brings the intense realism and animal studies of late nineteenth-century Japan straight to a room.

Large Japanese Bronze Okimono by Masaaki

19th century

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Large Japanese Bronze Okimono by Masaaki

From Donald Allison Antiques

£8,500

FOR SALE

sculptures

Japanese Lacquer Carp Okimono, Haruyama Shunzan, Meiji Period.

19th century

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Japanese Lacquer Carp Okimono, Haruyama Shunzan, Meiji Period.

From Philip Carrol Antiques

£4,900

FOR SALE

sculptures

Large Japanese Garden Bronze Dragon Okimono

1900 - 1920

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Large Japanese Garden Bronze Dragon Okimono

From Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

£8,500

FOR SALE

sculptures

19th century

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19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese Bronze Rhinoceros Beetle

From Quiet Street Antiques of Bath

£275

FOR SALE

metal

Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

19th century

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Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

From Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

£24,500

FOR SALE

sculptures

19th century

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A Large Bronze Meiji Period Elephant

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£1,650

FOR SALE

sculptures

19th century

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19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese Bronze French Bulldog

From Quiet Street Antiques of Bath

£275

FOR SALE

metal

A Large Meiji Period Bronze Figure of a Crouching Lion Signed Seiunsai Miyamoto Sei

19th century

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A Large Meiji Period Bronze Figure of a Crouching Lion Signed Seiunsai Miyamoto Sei

From Sandbanks Antiques

£4,950

FOR SALE

sculptures

1900 - 1920

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Late Meiji Period Bronze Oni Demon

From Cella

£695

FOR SALE

sculptures

Superb Japanese Vintage (Early 20thc) Bronze Horse, Tokyo Foundry, Sakai Kōzan

1920 - 1940

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Superb Japanese Vintage (Early 20thc) Bronze Horse, Tokyo Foundry, Sakai Kōzan

From Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

£550

FOR SALE

sculptures

Rhinoceros beetles and tarantulas join elephants and tigers in this menagerie, proving that Meiji metalworkers studied insects with the same reverence as apex predators.

Antique Meiji Period Bronze Geisha Girl Figure

1900 - 1920

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Antique Meiji Period Bronze Geisha Girl Figure

From John Howkins Antiques

£750

FOR SALE

sculptures

19th century

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Late 19th Century Japanese Bronze Okimono of a Rat Clutching a Chestnut, Meiji Period

From H & H Gallery

£1,750

FOR SALE

metal

1900 - 1920

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Japanese Bronze Okimono of Puppies.

From Donald Allison Antiques

£675

FOR SALE

sculptures

A Large Antique Japanese Bronze Eagle. Root Wood Base Meiji Period Signed Gyoko 36" Tall

19th century

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A Large Antique Japanese Bronze Eagle. Root Wood Base Meiji Period Signed Gyoko 36" Tall

From Bushells Antiques

£17,500

FOR SALE

sculptures

19th century

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Japanese Bronze Okimono

From Devonshire Antiques

£3,450

FOR SALE

sculptures

Japanese Bronze Wolf Okimono, Meiji Period.

19th century

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Japanese Bronze Wolf Okimono, Meiji Period.

From Philip Carrol Antiques

£1,500

FOR SALE

metal

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Meiji Bronze Statue

Large Japanese Bronze Okimono by Masaaki

Japanese Lacquer Carp Okimono, Haruyama Shunzan, Meiji Period.

Large Japanese Garden Bronze Dragon Okimono

19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese Bronze Rhinoceros Beetle

Large Japanese Bronze Okimono Bears - Kaniya Kuniharu

A Large Bronze Meiji Period Elephant

19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese Bronze French Bulldog

A Large Meiji Period Bronze Figure of a Crouching Lion Signed Seiunsai Miyamoto Sei

Late Meiji Period Bronze Oni Demon

Superb Japanese Vintage (Early 20thc) Bronze Horse, Tokyo Foundry, Sakai Kōzan

Antique Meiji Period Bronze Geisha Girl Figure

Late 19th Century Japanese Bronze Okimono of a Rat Clutching a Chestnut, Meiji Period

Japanese Bronze Okimono of Puppies.

A Large Antique Japanese Bronze Eagle. Root Wood Base Meiji Period Signed Gyoko 36" Tall

Japanese Bronze Okimono

Japanese Bronze Wolf Okimono, Meiji Period.

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