Lot 7
7
AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE
AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE
AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE
2 More
PROPERTY FROM A PRINCELY COLLECTION
AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE

EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY), SIGNED UMETADA

Details
AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE
EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY), SIGNED UMETADA
The iron turtle constructed of numerous hammered plates jointed inside the body, hinged jaw opening to reveal a movable tongue, eyes, limbs and claws move, the tail retractable, the details finely carved and chiseled, signature on the undersides of rear limbs
4 ½ in. (11.4 cm.) long
Provenance
Robert Winter Japanese Art, Kyoto

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明)
Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Korean Art
+1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

This articulated sculpture of a turtle appears to be very unique.
In Japanese symbolism, the turtle is often associated with longevity and common auspicious image together with crane. The turtle is also a popular subject in Japanese painting and prints, notably by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. The latter had and the famous print with an image of turtle in his significant series Meisho Edo hyakkei (One hundred famous views of Edo) in 1857 (fig.1).

More from Important Japanese Art

View All
View All