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A Masterpiece of Meiji Japan — Takamura Kōun’s Kannon Bosatsu
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We are delighted to present an exceptional new acquisition: a large Japanese parcel-gilt bronze figure of Kannon Bosatsu by the celebrated Meiji sculptor Takamura Kōun (1852–1934).
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Standing 59 cm high and weighing only 6.4 kg, this elegant figure exemplifies the refined artistry of the late nineteenth century, when Japan’s finest sculptors merged classical Buddhist forms with a new naturalism inspired by the modern age.
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The Bodhisattva of Compassion is depicted standing upon a circular plinth, holding a lotus stem in the right hand, the left lowered in the gesture of giving (varada mudrā). Selective gilding illuminates the jewelry, crown, and lotus, while the softly modelled features radiate serenity.
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The figure bears a crisp relief seal reading 高村光雲 (Takamura Kōun) on the reverse and retains traces of the original casting core material, confirming its creation by the lost-wax process of the Meiji period. Large bronzes of this quality, authenticity, and condition are exceedingly rare.
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Takamura Kōun, a founding professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, was instrumental in redefining Japanese sculpture for the modern era. His works reside in major museum collections, including the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
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This remarkable bronze is now available for acquisition through Becker Antiques, Amsterdam.
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