Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Visitors' Forum

Asian Art Forums - Reply Message
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:Large Bronze Elephant old seal marks?
Posted By: william bland Sat, Oct 23, 2004
Really appreciate anyone able to give me an idea of the translation and or age of this mark? It is on the underside of a large bronze elephant. 150 pounds, 24 inches tall and 50 inches from trunk to tail. Trunk is pointing downward.



Subject:Re: Large Bronze Elephant old seal marks?
Posted By: Alan Mon, Oct 25, 2004
The mark is an early Seiya one and is probably 1900 or slightly earlier making it mid to late Meiji period Japanese.

The mark reads:
Dai Nihon Genryusai Seiya zo
(Great Japan Genryusai Seiya built)

Given its size and the general quality of Genryusai Seiya's work I imagine it is a very impressive sculpture.

Subject:Re: Re: Large Bronze Elephant old seal marks?
Posted By: william bland Mon, Oct 25, 2004
Thankyou Alan, very much! Based on other replies you have given, would this mark be of Seiya himself? The sculpture is extremely impressive, the detail is phenominal...thing is there is a one-half inch missing from the end of one tusk. I just went to look at the eyes and they are gone, something I hadn't noticed previously. (I am without camera for the moment, so can't take any full photos...just ordered a new camera!) Couple of quick questions....what depreciation would the above mentioned issues make to the value, and what, in your opinion, would be the most advantageous arena to put him up for sale? Thankyou again, Bill

Subject:Re: Re: Large Bronze Elephant old seal marks?
Posted By: Alan Tue, Oct 26, 2004
To answer your questions:

(a) It is generally accepted that the mark implies Seiya modelled it himself.
(b) Lions and tigers often have glass eyes, but not as far as I know elephants. So I think it is most unlikely it ever had seperate eyes. However I've never seen an elephant quite as big as yours so you never know!
(c) The broken tusk could be repaired relatively easily. Unrepaired the damage will probably knock a few hundred dollars off the value.
(d) as for selling it, I would definitely take it to both Sotheby's and Christies and see what they say. Given its size I think it should be quite valuable.


Post a Reply
Name:
Email:
Group: China & Japan
Subject:
Message:
Link URL:
Enter here the complete URL of any site, page or image you would like to show other visitors.
URL Title:
Enter here the title of the link you've given above. This will appear to the visitor. Eg., if you are linking another picture, enter "Another picture". The link will not appear without a title.
Image URL:
Enter here the URL of an image if it is already uploaded on the web. The image will appear with your posting. Do not post pictures which are not yours without permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of each poster to make sure they have permission to use any photos they post.
Image: You may upload up to three images. If you would like to upload more images to this message please do so by replying to this same message.

Please make sure the file type is JPEG or GIF and the filename does not contain spaces.




Use the Browse button to find an image (jpg or gif) on a local drive on your computer to upload for including with your message. Do not upload images with file names containing spaces. Please do not upload files larger than 500 KB in size. Do not post pictures which are not yours without permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of each poster to make sure they have permission to use any photos they post. Check the "email notification" box below if you would like to be notified of any responses to your message.
Check here for email notification.
Security Code: Security Image: please enter the text appears in this image.

Please type in the code you see in the image directly above this input box.

Subject:Re: Large Bronze Elephant old seal marks?
Posted By: Dana Wed, Jun 01, 2016
I also have a Japanese animal bronze with a similar seal. The bottom middle character here is repeated on the bottom right of my mark.

Is this part of the name, date or place? Can you tell me what this says?

Very many thanks!



Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |