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Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts
Tel07931 370 372Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7931 370 372
Vintage Japanese carved bear catching salmon
This is a large Japanese bear shown growling while pinning a salmon to a rock with its front paws on an integral base all superbly carved from a single piece of timber, probably cedar, the favoured medium of the Hokkaido carvers. The bear has a black finish which contrasts with the paler colour of the salmon and the rock on which it stands. It has a waxed lustrous finish.
Dimensions: Length 39 cm x Depth 21 cm x Height 33 cm
A standard 330ml drinks can is shown for scale in the final photograph.
Weight 4.1 kg
Condition: Excellent with some wear from handling which has, on raised areas of the fur, exposed the pale wood underneath as you would expect from a 50 plus year old carving. There are some fine, shallow shrinkage cracks on the back of the bear which are stable and do little to detract from this wonderful carving.
The Japanese have a strong tradition of wood carving but the heritage of bear sculptures dates back to 1922, when Yoshichika Tokugawa, a feudal lord, brought folk crafts back from his trip to Switzerland, and used them as models to promote woodcarving as a side business for the farmers on the island of Hokkaido. In 1924, the first Hokkaido-made bear woodcarving was created by a dairy farmer, modeled after this Swiss folk craft. In time, a craft industry developed producing high quality carvings of bears in different poses which were sold to tourists and collectors from around the world. Though the craft is in decline due to the time required to carve one of these bears its history is celebrated in a dedicated museum in Yakumo, Hokkaido containing over 300 bear carvings including the first ever carving and a magnificent bear presented to the Emperor of Japan.
Postage and packing: £12 within the UK. Please contact us for a quote to send overseas.
Please use the enquiry form to request further details of this item or make a purchase. Alternatively, call David on +44 7931 370372
SellerTorr Antiques & Decorative Arts
View all stock from
Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts
Private dealer
By appointment only
Lamberhurst
Kent, England
Tel : 07931 370 372
Non UK callers : +44 7931 370 372
Dimensions: Length 39 cm x Depth 21 cm x Height 33 cm
A standard 330ml drinks can is shown for scale in the final photograph.
Weight 4.1 kg
Condition: Excellent with some wear from handling which has, on raised areas of the fur, exposed the pale wood underneath as you would expect from a 50 plus year old carving. There are some fine, shallow shrinkage cracks on the back of the bear which are stable and do little to detract from this wonderful carving.
The Japanese have a strong tradition of wood carving but the heritage of bear sculptures dates back to 1922, when Yoshichika Tokugawa, a feudal lord, brought folk crafts back from his trip to Switzerland, and used them as models to promote woodcarving as a side business for the farmers on the island of Hokkaido. In 1924, the first Hokkaido-made bear woodcarving was created by a dairy farmer, modeled after this Swiss folk craft. In time, a craft industry developed producing high quality carvings of bears in different poses which were sold to tourists and collectors from around the world. Though the craft is in decline due to the time required to carve one of these bears its history is celebrated in a dedicated museum in Yakumo, Hokkaido containing over 300 bear carvings including the first ever carving and a magnificent bear presented to the Emperor of Japan.
Postage and packing: £12 within the UK. Please contact us for a quote to send overseas.
Please use the enquiry form to request further details of this item or make a purchase. Alternatively, call David on +44 7931 370372
Price
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealer
Click here to message the seller
The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 16/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Period 1960s Antiques
Material Cedar
Origin Japanese
Item code as1016a334
Status For Sale
£250.00 
$316.70
€291.35
$316.70
€291.35
Looking to Buy?
Payment with PayPal is availableArrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealer
Click here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 16/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Shipping information
We have a trusted delivery man who is a experienced in transporting antiques, pictures and fragile items. He can deliver to most places on mainland England and Wales and, depending on where he is on his schedule, it may take a few days or up to 4 weeks. Other couriers are available for Scotland and North Wales or where a shorter time frame is required. Purchases can also be collected in person from the Tunbridge Wells area in SE England.
View all stock from
Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts
Private dealerBy appointment only
Lamberhurst
Kent, England
Tel : 07931 370 372
Non UK callers : +44 7931 370 372
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