Antique Japanese Hand Carved Panel - Meiji Period c1890
Traditional Japanese Carved Panel Depicting Scene
from the Fable 'The Eighty One Brothers'
This rare and attractive antique Japanese carved mahogany
panel has been hand carved in relief. It depicts a scene
from an old Japanese fable called 'The Eighty One Brothers' a transcript
of this story is included below.
The design is of the hare belonging to the Princess of Inaba, running
across the crocodiles in the sea as a bridge from Tajima, on the north
coast of Japan to Cape Keta.
The hand carving is in both deep and shallow relief and emphasis
the movement of the hare through the waves. It is framed in the original
ebonised frame.
The large size of this panel, 58 inches by 17.5 inches, makes it
an unusual and attractive focus in a room.
The influence of Japanese design from this period on the English
Arts and Crafts Movement is well known and this is clearly seen in
this carving. English designers from the late 19th centaury, such
as E. W. Godwin, traveled to Japan and were taken by the simplicity
of the Japanese design which they incorporated into their designs.
The panel is in its original condition with no restoration. It has
no splits or cracks and has developed an attractive deep brown patina
over time.
SOLD
Our Reference: SN417
