Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

This is a naturalistically depicted two tone bear with a salmon in its mouth carved from a single piece of timber (probably cedar), Japanese in origin and dating from the mid 20th century. The panda eyes, the colour variation in the fur changing from beige on the face and shoulders to black on the sides and legs, the large salmon in its mouth and the fine carving to simulate fur make this sculpture both very appealing and tactile.

We have acquired a collection of twelve museum quality Japanese carved wooden bears and though this is one of the smaller bears it is, nevertheless, of some size (see photograph with drinks can as scale) and would make a fascinating statement piece on a table top or cabinet.

Dimensions: Width 34 cm, Depth 20 cm, Height 21 cm
Weight: 2.45 kg

Condition: Excellent condition with some minor wear commensurate with 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.