A JAPANESE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A MONKEY AFTER TAKAMURA KOUN (1852-1934)

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.