An idiots guide to buying bronze Okimono

[Alex A]

Always wanted to start a thread on the subject as its always been an interest on the back burner.

 

I know very little, this is about as much as i ask myself when viewing them online, so if anyone has any tips then add them.

 

1) Is it solid bronze?.Sounds silly but plenty of hollow ones around , assuming mass produced in China

 

2) Which brings me onto the next question i would ask myself. Are the like 5 or more exactly the same for sale at any one time?

 

3) Is it it bronze or patinated Brass or some other material?

 

4) Is the finish any good with fine detail and without any cast marks?

 

5) Is it signed?, even better if maker can be traced.

 

Thats it folks, my indepth knowledge.

 

Thats not advice, thats me looking for advice

[Bugyotsuji]

Very good question, Alex. 9/10

[John C]

I guess I would add:

6) Does the wear on the patina (high parts) look natural from handling? 

 

John C.

[Alex A]

Good point John

[Bugyotsuji]

If it’s big bronze I think you need the right size of house to display it. You may need to love the material first, and there could be a steep esoteric learning curve from those that know and appreciate good work and famous artisan names.

 

Kevin Page had a glorious basement full of Meiji bronze figures in his shop in London but much of it was heart-rendingly lost in a flood some years ago.

 

[Matsunoki]

Hi Alex, nowadays it’s like walking in a minefield….great many repros/fakes of varying quality from pretty good to pretty awful. 
Also many modern pieces being made in Japan apparently from a process that takes moulds from original items and then recasts ( many of these are solid whereas good Meiji bronzes are hollow and often rattle inside a bit which might sound bizarre but true!)

There are many fakes of Samurai, plain or partially gilt, monkeys, birds of prey, koro…..the list goes on and on. Some made in Japan, some China and probably elsewhere.

Its just like swords…..you simply have to develop the “eye” based on handling many genuine things.

Alloys used in genuine pieces can vary a lot as well and patina can be equally variable in colour.

It comes down to being able to recognise artistry, quality of casting, quality of subsequent finishing (carving, gilding, patination etc)

Some makers are obvious….Seiya, Miyao, Maruki,  but again….there are fakes of these as well.

I dealt in Meiji bronzes for many years when good pieces were available but nowadays not so much good stuff surfaces. 
99% of small bronze okimono for sale in the UK via UK auctions, especially things like insects, crustaceans, rats, creepy crawlies, scorpions, dragons are all fake (loosely in Meiji style). Even UK antique platforms (Selling Antiques and others) are littered with mostly fakes.

No easy answer……know your subject……caveat emptor.

Websites to look at…Kevin Page, Steve Sly (both personal friends and excellent trusted dealers) plus of course Bonhams. Malcolm Fairley and Grace Tsumugi probably have pieces on their websites also. 

Happy to look at anything you are thinking about.

Best.

Colin

 

[Brian]

Have posted him before, but I still LOVE my Night Watchman that I think I picket up for a bargain years ago after it went unsold. One of my favorites, and never seen another the same for sale.

 

[Matsunoki]

5 minutes ago, Brian said:

but I still LOVE my Night Watchman

That was a nice find Brian. Unusual subject…..I’ve seen many in ivory but not one in bronze. Usually they are farmers or Bijin.  Great example of late Meiji high quality naturalistic casting and finishing.

[Matsunoki]

This should keep,you occupied for a fair while!🙂🙂

Not everything is priced which is pretty normal for the expensive stuff 

Just think of a number and add several zeros!

 

https://kevinpage.co.uk/collections/?fwp_collection=okimono

[Matsunoki]

Or this……(I wrote all the text under “read more”)

 

https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product-category/bronze/

[Alex A]

Some beautiful pieces on those websites Colin, though some of the prices making my eyes water.

 

Wheres the bargain basement?

[Matsunoki]

30 minutes ago, Alex A said:

Wheres the bargain basement?

I never found it🙂

[Davis]

I have zero knowledge on this subject but have always thought that the fine detail depicted in weapons was a clue to the quality of samurai bronzes.  This is from Barry Davies's book.

Miyao, Benkai subduing two foes. 

[Davis]

I acquired this years ago as a study p[ece and because I liked the subject.  Meiji, middle range export, 21"x15". I thought it was a one off but discovered a much larger version of the same thing sold at auction in the States.