Bronze Shishi - Age?

[Mat]

Hello,

I have this small shishi and cub (ca. 11 cm), and I would like to hear your opinions regarding it's age. The style looks - in my eyes - like Edo period to me, also the motive of a shishi with a cub in that position can be found in Edo period netsuke. On the other hand I do not think there were many bronze okimono around in that time? Maybe it was a part of something else?

Thank you very much in advance,

Mat

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Mat.,

 

I wonder the purpose and position of the rope or binding under the raised left paw, does it continue into the mouth of the main figure?

 

To me it does suggest part of something else, but parted some time ago.

 

Cheers

[Mat]

Thank you Malcolm for your reply! The cord is forming a loop, with the round end coming out on the other side of the mouth. The other end held by the paw does not look as if it has broken off, the finish is too smooth, I think. Someone told me it could be a shimenawa rope, used in Shinto for ritual purification. That would be a least one possibilitly... What do you think how old the shishi is?

Mat

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Mat.,

 

I don't think it is a shimenawa, I think it has more to do with Buddhism than Shinto

 

This Blog may be of use, scroll down to the Harness, Ribbon section:

 

https://fudogblog.wordpress.com/category/historical-slant-postings/

 

 

[Mat]

Thank you again, that was a very interesting link!

Mat