SEIYA: A BRONZE OKIMONO OF A BEAST AND TIGERS

SEIYA: A RARE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A BEAST AND TIGERS
By Genryusai Seiya, signed Seiya sei
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Finely cast as two tigers engaged in a brutal fight with a beast, which is pinning down one of the tigers as the other attacks it from behind. Note the appealing contrast in color and texture between the tigers' furs and beast's skin. Signed SEIYA sei to the beast's belly.

LENGTH 20.5 cm
WEIGHT 1,580 g

Condition: Good condition with minor wear and minimal casting flaws, a small loss to the tail of one tiger.
Provenance: From a US private collection in New York.

Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman in charge of a workshop specializing in export wares of the highest quality. Production included human genre figures, vases and exotic bronze models of animals probably influenced by the opening of Tokyo Zoological Gardens in 1882. The present piece is a rarely seen subject by the artist.