Elephant Attacked by Two Tigers Japanese Bronze Okimono Sculpture
a Japanese bronze okimono (decorative display sculpture) depicting an elephant attacked by two tigers, dating to the Meiji Period (1868–1912).
Dramatic naturalistic scenes showing wild animal conflicts—in this case an elephant struggling against two tigers—were a popular theme among Meiji-era metalworkers. The piece features detailed fur and stripes on the tigers and texture of the elephant's skin with carved bone for tusks set into the bronze.
The underside of the bronze features a square cast seal mark (seisei / maker's mark). The upper character appears to be Gen (源), and the lower character appears to be ya / tani (谷) or sui (水), a signature commonly associated with artists/workshops such as Genryusai Seiya (源龍齋誠谷), one of the most prominent master bronze artists of the Meiji period known specifically for high-detail animal okimono depicting elephants, tigers, and lions.
The base is made of olive tree custom made for this sculpture.
Dimensions:
Height: 17 cm / 6.7 inches
Width: 16 cm / 6.3 inches
Depth: 12 cm / 4.7 inches
Weight: 2.43 Kg / 5.35 lbs.
Japanese Fisherman Holding Oar Bronze Okimono Sculpture
This piece is a Japanese late Edo to Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century) patinated bronze okimono (decorative sculpture) depicting a traditional fisherman standing on a rocky outcrop along water currents, holding an oar alongside a detailed basket (biku). The hollow basket might have been used as an inkwell or incense burner.
Beautiful and intricate carvings, expressive face, detailed hair dressing and clothing on an original wooden base and foundry marked
Dimensions:
Height: 40 cm / 15.74 inches
Base: 30.5 x 18 cm / 12 x 7 inches
Weight: 3.2 Kg / 7 lbs.