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Hello, been asked by an elderly friend to try to ID this item, sorry but I know next to nothing about the subject (hence coming here) so please bear with me. I don't think it is bronze as it's not very heavy, he bought it about 30 years ago at auction,it's about 5-6 inches tall if that's relevant and the tusk was broken at the time.
I have been advised by that it is "probably" Japanese but that's it?
Any help with age and origin would be great, he is not worried about value just curious to know a little more about it.
Any help please?

This is an 'okimono' of an elephant signed 'Seiya sei' (せいや製 - made by Seiya). The maker's mark refers to the famous workshop of the metalworker Genryusai Seiya in Tokyo, active during the Meiji period. Specialized in bronze okimono of animals, human figures and vases, mainly made for export to Europe and the USA, 1880s-1890s.

Guy.

Guy thank you very much for that, much appreciated for the reply, he will be pleased. As I said he doesn't want to sell it and I take it it's worth not a lot anyway?

Thanks again

Models made for export by Seiya varied from size and from average- to top-end quality. This is a small object of average quality with damage. Without damage, I should value it at max. $200-300 - the damage reduces the value to 1/3.


Guy.

Thank you Guy, most helpful

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