Lot 1408: f - A SILVER MODEL OF KANNON BY TAKAMURA KOUN (1852-1934)

21cm., 8 1/4 in.

standing on an octagonal base, his hair piled into a tall topknot and scarf-like cloths drape his body and one arm, his left hand lowered to welcome the believer into Amida's paradise, his right hand holding the delicate stem of a lotus bud, signed with seal Takamura Koun with tomobako inscribed Sei Kanzeon Bosatsu and the interior of the cover signed Teishitsu gigeiin ju sanmi (a craftsman to the Imperial Household, ranked third), Takamura Koun kore zo with two seals

Quantity: 2

NOTE

Takamura Koun was celebrated in his lifetime as a great revivalist of Buddhist arts in the Meiji period. Apprenticed to the traditional-style Buddhist sculptor Takamura Toun, he trained in the revered methods of religious art and iconography. He won prestigious awards at international exhibitions and created works for the new Imperial Palace. Koun was honoured as a member of the Imperial Art Academy and as a professor of the Tokyo Art School.