Lot 180: A Pair of Gilt-Bronze Models of Guardian Dogs ( Komainu )

Meiji period (late 19th century), with seal Hondo gishiin Ishikawa Komei [Ishikawa Komei (1852-1913)] Cast as seated guardians with fierce expressions, their mouths forming the mantra syllables ah and um, their manes and tails with thick curls, the entire surface gilded; with seal on base of each 13in. (33cm.) high each (2) NOTES Ishikawa Komei is considered one of the best carvers in the new Western style. Trained also as a painter in the Kano style he later became a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and he was appointed to the prestigious role of imperial artist. He co-founded the Kankokai Craft Company with sculptor Kaneda Kenjiro in 1877. His work in metal casting is rare. SALESROOM NOTICE Please note the seal is read as "Teishitsu gigeiin Ishikawa Komei".