Japanese school; Meiji period, last quarter of the 19th century.

Japanese school; Meiji period, last quarter of the 19th century.
“Tiger.”
Chiseled and patinated bronze with glass eyes.
Signed on the front.
Measurements: 22 x 56 x 13 cm.
Sculpture of a tiger in a dynamic pose, conceived with the extraordinary naturalism characteristic of Japanese sculpture from the Meiji era. The rendering of the body, the tension in the musculature, and the meticulous work of the striations simulating the fur reveal remarkable attention to detail. The inlaid eyes lend special intensity to the animal’s expression.
In Japanese tradition, the tiger is a symbol of strength, courage, and protection, associated with the ability to confront threats and ward off evil spirits. Its depiction also took on particular significance during the Meiji era, a period of profound transformation and modernization in Japan. The Japanese term okimono means “object for display,” “work of art,” or “decorative object.” These types of objects are traditionally placed in the tokonoma—a prominent spot in the home, usually in the form of a niche—or on the home Buddhist altar. The okimono is purely decorative, and during the Meiji period, many okimono were produced for export to the West.