Newest Addition To Collection

[hddennis]

Acquired this bronze monkey yesterday because he seemed like he needed a new home. I don't know if he is vintage or not. To my eye his original purpose would have been to hold a  pocket watch when not in use which would most likely date him to Victorian times, When I got him home the wife suggested a different job for him. He's holding our child's inro acquired several years ago. I think he looks like he was designed for just this purpose. What do you guys think?

 

Howard Dennis 

[Fuuten]

Looks neat to me, monkey statues always carry a certain allure. To me it doesn't look that old, would guess Meiji period. However if you're looking for more information about it, a picture of the bottom would be helpful.

[Bugyotsuji]

Holding that Sagemono set looks just right.

[hddennis]

6 hours ago, Fuuten said:

Looks neat to me, monkey statues always carry a certain allure. To me it doesn't look that old, would guess Meiji period. However if you're looking for more information about it, a picture of the bottom would be helpful.

Fuuten, Normally I would have included a picture of the bottom but in this case it is covered with a very old piece of felt and since you can tell the bottom is hollow I didn't feel it would be hiding a signature. Thank goodness it is hollow because it is extremely heavy leading me to think it's bronze because I've never seen brass this heavy.

 

Howard Dennis

[hddennis]

4 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Holding that Sagemono set looks just right.

Bugyotsuji,

that was my wife's idea and to my eye it looks perfect.

 

Howard Dennis

[Sunny]

Maybe it was supposed to be a decorative piece to hold a lantern thus why he is so heavy to not topple over and made out of metal to withstand the heat ?

I like what he is holding though.

I love the other pieces around him too.

[hddennis]

12 hours ago, Sunny said:

Maybe it was supposed to be a decorative piece to hold a lantern thus why he is so heavy to not topple over and made out of metal to withstand the heat ?

I like what he is holding though.

I love the other pieces around him too.

Hadn't really thought in that direction as it's only 3 1/2 inches between his hands.

Howard Dennis

[Sunny]

59 minutes ago, hddennis said:

Hadn't really thought in that direction as it's only 3 1/2 inches between his hands.

Howard Dennis

ooohhhh  silly me ...I thought it was way bigger....like the head height was 11 inches or something 

[hddennis]

Probably, you assumed that was a normal size inro but it's the only child size I've ever seen.

[Sunny]

I love the colours of it.

Very cool.

[hddennis]

1 hour ago, Sunny said:

I love the colours of it.

Very cool.

I do too. And it's signed although I don't know what it says.

 

Howard Dennis

[Sunny]

1 hour ago, hddennis said:

I do too. And it's signed although I don't know what it says.

 

Howard Dennis

Maybe some very old Buddhist script like they add to some Sue Bizen swords horimono?

Not sure

the purple/blue fabric and red with gold usually match the wardrobe and armour of high ranking samurai.

[PietroParis]

I think it's just the maker's signature in cursive script. The second character looks like 山 san/zan/yama, but the first one eludes me.