Lg Fine Antique Japanese Showa Bull Elephant Bronze Sculpture 18 x 13

Vintage Japanese Bronze Statue 
LargeTusks Bull Elephant
Circa: Showa period, early 1900s'
H 13 in. (33cm), W 18 in. (46cm), D 5 in. (12.5cm)
measurement not including pedestal
Condition: minor abrasions.

A venerable sacred elephant, a universal symbol of strength and wisdom realized in the startling realism. It's a superb Japanese work of art nonetheless reveals its European sculptural influence. This elephant is an example of outstanding craftsmanship in bronze since the Meiji period (1868-1912). It is eighteen inches in length and weight over 15 pounds. The detail is seen in the marvelous representation of the head and trunk, which is finished with a pair of tusks. Not only is the bulk and presence of the figure is entirely convincing; the sense of bone structure and lacquered fleshy trunk, the weighty body gathered in steady equipoise, even more impressive is the leathery hide, which is accomplished by smoothing out the form, pressing it with a tool to raise a multitude of tiny semi-spheres, then dragging and paddling with a spatula over the bumpy surface to produce the irregular natural skin texture. The clay or wax was scored to show the folds as they move with the animal’s form and action. The centerpiece includes a free marble pedestal for display.