Width: 16cms
Height: 10cms
Date: Circa 1880
£1,950
Product Code: KPOK108
Simply put, POA stands for “Price on Application”.
With some of our pieces, we prefer not to openly publish our asking price. We absolutely welcome visitors to the website to contact us to enquire about the cost of such pieces.
We just prefer to have a conversation to allow us to explain the pricing as well as to talk in more detail about the piece in question.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a super expensive piece but it may just be that there is something unique or special that we would like to be able to tell you about in more detail.
Contact us to find out more.
Dating from the reign of Emperor Meiji, (1868 – 1912) this endearing bronze depicts a legendary Tanuki (Japanese racoon dog) as it shape shifts into the form of a tetsubin (Iron tea kettle).
You can find out more about the Tanuki by reading our short-read here.
Wonderfully detailed with inlaid gold ring eyes and signed to the underside.
Condition is very good.
Contact us for further information, more images or to arrange a viewing.
Tanuki (Animal)
The tanuki, also known as the badger dog or racoon dog is a real species of canid unique to Japan. They resemble the American Racoon but are most closely related to the fox they are found all over Japan and can live to 8 years old.
Tanuki (Legendary)
A relatively shy but charismatic creature, with a bark that resembles human laughter, many legends have built up around them over the years most involving their love of mischief and mythical shape shifting abilities. They are able to take the form of humans and can transform into many things including, trees, rocks, giant monsters and household items.
A favourite trick of tanuki, often depicted in art, is to transform into a testsubin (iron tea kettle) and wait for an unsuspecting person to try to make a brew before turning back into a raccoon dog and giving them a fright!
Aside from their extraordinary shapeshifting abilities the tanuki is probably best known for its enormous, malleable, magical, all-purpose testicles which they can adapt to any need.
There is an incredibly amusing set of prints by the master Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting many tanuki using their testicles and scrotums in extraordinary and creative ways; some are used for fishing, or as a boat, others as shelter from the rain, one enterprising tanuki has formed a shop from his testicles. They often use their testicles as disguises, one print depicts the court of Ryujin the dragon god of the sea entirely made from the scrotums of tanuki, another sees tanuki dress up as the seven lucky gods. Well worth a google.
A famous nursery rhyme Japanese children learn goes;
Tan-tan-tanuki’s balls
Even when there is no wind
They swing, swing.
We completely understand that purchasing art and antiques online is a relatively new concept to many people, so our team will be very happy to provide additional information and support along the way.
We are members of BADA, LAPADA and CINOA, working closely with these associations and we are very proud of our reputation as one of the most established, valued and trusted dealers of Japanese and Chinese Art and Antiques in the industry.
Our galleries in Islington are open Monday through to Saturday (from 1030 to 1630) by appointment only. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
These details have been entered here.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean non leo varius nibh dapibus vehicula. Donec elementum nunc at nunc ornare vehicula. Nulla suscipit, lectus nec volutpat lacinia, tortor nibh egestas justo, a mollis ligula sem in diam. Nullam ultrices lacinia feugiat. Mauris tempor placerat urna, ut lobortis augue aliquam ut.
