Okimono - Bronze - With seal Takamura Kōun 高村光雲 - including original tomobako - Guanyin (Kannon Bodhisattva) okimono - Japan - Second half 20th century

Here it is the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion, elegantly sculpted by the master Takamura Koun and cast from the original. Seated on a rock, holding in her left hand a delicate lotus bud stalk, her hair piled into a tall topknot and adorned with the hokan (jewelled crown) , wearing a johaku (decorative scarf) draped diagonally from her left shoulder, spreading out across the right side of her abdomen, the folds of the garment softly rendered. A full reproduction of a piece by the celebrated sculptor Koun Takamura. On the pedestal is Koun's signature. In addition, it wil has the paulownia wood box which has had Koun's seal applied to it by permission of the Takamura family. This artwork and box together have two signatures to certify it is a genuine product based on Koun's model. Takamura Koun was a key figure in the development of Japanese sculpture in the later Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras. He started his career as a specialist carver of Buddhist images and came to international attention in 1877 when he showed a sandalwood figure of the White-robed Kannon at the first Domestic Industrial Exhibition. His most famous works are public statues of Kusunoki Masashige, outside the Imperial Palace, and of Saigo Takamori, at the entrance to Ueno Park. In October 1890 he became one of the first two sculptors to be appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) . Takamura Toyochika, a son of the famous sculptor Takamura Koun, was a specialist in metal casting. In 1908 he became a pupil of Tsuda Shinobu, graduating from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1915. He received a Tokusen or Gold Prize at the eighth Teiten in 1927, a prize his work also won in the following two years. He was honored as Living National Treasure in 1964. Including original signed and sealed tomobako. Measurements: height: 20 cm diameter: 16 cm Weight: 1,35 kg Very good condition, there are signs of age and wear from normal use, scratches, rubbings, marks; please, see pictures for actual condition. Registered shipping with tracking number, well packed for safe and fast delivering!