Japanese Works of Art - 23rd November 2021
Lot 1035
A JAPANESE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A MONKEY AFTER TAKAMURA KOUN (1852-1934)
Estimate £400 - £600 | Hammer £400
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Description
A JAPANESE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A MONKEY AFTER TAKAMURA KOUN (1852-1934)
MEIJI PERIOD OR LATER, 20TH CENTURY
Realistically modelled, the primate sits on a rock and turns to his right in an inquisitive manner; he holds three large feathers in his left hand, possibly belonging to the bird he is gazing at; the base with an illegible impressed mark, possibly for Koun, 27cm.
Provenance: an English private collection, Somerset.
This bronze is modelled after the famous wood carving entitled 'Aged Monkey' by Buddhist sculptor Takamura Koun. The original is over a meter tall and was displayed at Chicago's World Fair in 1893, where it won the Outstanding Performance Award. It is today on display at Tokyo National Museum.