An okimono is a standalone decorative sculpture meant for display in a domestic setting rather than a formal shrine. They were produced in great numbers during the Meiji period for both local and export markets. These pieces range from tiny, detailed animals to substantial human figures and mythological subjects, carved or cast with immense care.

What defines the Meiji period?

The Meiji period spans the reign of the Emperor Meiji from 1868 to 1912, marking a time of rapid modernisation and increased artistic exchange with the West. Japanese metalworkers adapted traditional samurai sword-fitting techniques to decorative sculpture. This era produced some of the most technically demanding metalwork in Japanese history, driven by international exhibitions and foreign demand.

Are articulated sculptures movable?

Yes, certain animal sculptures such as centipedes, beetles, and snakes feature articulated joints that allow segments to flex naturally. Artisans hinged individual metal plates together beneath the surface to mimic living movement. These flexible creations represent some of the highest technical achievements of nineteenth-century Japanese metalworkers.

Where were these pieces displayed?

Smaller okimono and vases were typically displayed inside homes on wooden stands or within decorative alcoves. Larger bronze figures and garden urns were intended for courtyards, verandas, and landscaped gardens. European collectors also incorporated them into Victorian drawing rooms, where they sat alongside other exotic items of the period.

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Meiji metal sculpture brings together extraordinary Japanese craftsmanship and naturalistic animal or figure subjects from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

19th century

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19th Century Life-size Bronzed Statue of a Japanese Lady in a Kimono

From Patrick Moorhead Antiques

£15,000

FOR SALE

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Japanese Mixed Metal and Bronze Vase. 1868-1912

19th century

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Japanese Mixed Metal and Bronze Vase. 1868-1912

From Devonshire Antiques

£6,750

FOR SALE

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Large Japanese Bronze Vase by Genryusai Seiya.

1900 - 1920

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Large Japanese Bronze Vase by Genryusai Seiya.

From Donald Allison Antiques

£12,750

FOR SALE

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Meiji Metal Sculpture

19th Century Life-size Bronzed Statue of a Japanese Lady in a Kimono

Japanese Mixed Metal and Bronze Vase. 1868-1912

Large Japanese Bronze Vase by Genryusai Seiya.

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