Antique Japanese 誠谷作 Genryusai Seiya Bronze Tiger Sculpture Original Pedestal 16"L 虎

Antique Japanese Bronze Okimono
Howling Tiger 虎
With Crystal Eyes
Sig: Genryusai Seiya Saku. Circa: Meiji, 1862-1912
H 8.5 in. (21.5cm), W 16 in. (41cm), D 5 in. (12.5cm)
Condition: abrasions and minor imperfections.

This Meiji period prowling tiger exemplifies the sublime aesthetics of Japanese culture and art. The tiger is anatomically accurate, lively rendered with outstretched limbs, claws splayed, and muscles flexed with its long tail held out, flicking excitedly at the tip, with its exquisitely modeled head, jaws agape, tongue curled back, fangs exposed, along with its piercing gaze from a pair of inset yellow glass eyes that dynamically accentuate the animal's ferocity. The tiger’s stripes are the original polished surface of the bronze, while the spaces between the stripes are matte. To achieve this pattern, the whole piece was first polished, then resist was applied to the polished surface and the matte areas created by applying a corrosive. Signed on the belly in a rectangular reserve respectively Genryusai Seiya saku 誠谷作. The tiger okimono comes with an original wood pedestal.