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A large Meiji period bronze bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuha Company

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
A large and impressive Meiji period bronze bison by Sano Takachika for the Kakuha Company, the animal powerfully modelled with his head low and turned slightly to the left and with a naturalistic shaggy pelt, on a shaped rootwood stand, stamped Sano Takachika ???? and Kakuha ??. Japanese, circa 1900.

Sano Takachika probably started out in the metalworking center of Takaoka, home of the Kakuha family. By 1894 he was a member of the T?ky? Ch?k?kai (Tokyo Carvers’ Association) and won a Second Class Diploma at the 27th Spring Exhibition of the Nihon Bijutsu Ky?kai (Japan Art Association). Noted for his lifelike portrayals of birds and animals there are several works by Takachika in the Khalili Collection. In addition, the Japanese collection formed by the noted English connoisseur, Mr Michael Tomkinson, and published in 1898, included a silver eagle and bronze snake on the trunk of a tree by Takachika.

The Kakuha family had been engaged in metal work and retail pharmacies for many generations in Takaoka (Etchu Province), Toyama Prefecture. They opened a decorative metalwork retail shop in the port town of Yokohama for the export market. The studio often commissioned artists like Sano Takachika.

References:

Oliver Impey and Malcom Fairley, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art, vol.2, Metalwork Part I, London, The Kibo Foundation, 1995, cat. nos. 120–122.

Michael Tomkinson, A Japanese Collection, London, George Allen, 1898, p.65.

On stand Length 27 inches Width 14 ½ inches Bronze Height 12 inches Length 22 ½ inches

More Information

Origin:	Japan
Period:	1900-1919
Materials:	Bronze
Condition:	Good. Good
Creation Date:	Circa 1900
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	625745

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques was established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s. Having grown up in the Antiques world Charles developed an extensive wealth of knowledge. Starting out as a ‘man with a van’ he quickly gained a good reputation and embarked on a longstanding relationship with Harrods. He was later joined by his wife, Caroline Wallrock. Caroline having completed a Persian degree, went on to study at Christie’s fine art and then joined Sotheby’s specializing in Islamic and Japanese works of art