Japanese Carved Wooden Bear Growling

Name: Japanese Carved Wooden Bear Growling
SKU: as1016a340
Price: 250.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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This is a superbly carved wooden bear shown prowling on four legs with its head bent to one side with teeth bared menacingly, Japanese mid 20th century. It is one of the smaller bears in the collection but the walnut colour and the deeply incised carving to simulate fur are particularly appealing. There is a Japanese character on the base of one of the back feet which we presume is the signature of the carver.

We have acquired a collection of twelve museum quality Japanese carved wooden bears of which this is one.

Dimensions: Width 35 cm, Depth 20 cm, Height 20 cm
Weight: 2.7 kg

Condition: Excellent condition with some minor wear commensurate with its age.

The Japanese have a strong tradition of wood carving but the heritage of bear sculptures dates back to 1922, when Yoshichika Tokugawa, a feudal lord, brought folk crafts back from his trip to Switzerland, and used them as models to promote woodcarving as a side business for the farmers on the island of Hokkaido. In 1924, the first Hokkaido-made bear woodcarving was created by a dairy farmer, modeled after this Swiss folk craft. In time, a craft industry developed producing high quality carvings of bears in different poses which were sold to tourists and collectors from around the world. Though the craft is in decline due to the time required to carve one of these bears its history is celebrated in a dedicated museum in Yakumo, Hokkaido containing over 300 bear carvings including the first ever carving and a magnificent bear presented to the Emperor of Japan.

Postage & packing: £7.50 within the UK. Please contact us for a quote if it is to be posted to an international destination.

Price

£250.00

$312.98

€301.18

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Shipping information

We have a trusted delivery man who is a experienced in transporting antiques, pictures and fragile items. He can deliver to most places on mainland England and Wales and, depending on where he is on his schedule, it may take a few days or up to 4 weeks. Other couriers are available for Scotland and North Wales or where a shorter time frame is required. Purchases can also be collected in person from the Tunbridge Wells area in SE England.

Period Retro Antiques Material Wood Origin Japanese Item code as1016a340 Status For Sale

SellerTorr Antiques & Decorative Arts

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