This bronze elephant shows the influence of French animal sculptors such Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875), whose bronze sculptures of elephants closely resemble this one.
Mark of Jozan or Josan
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Bequest of George J. Alexander
Bronze, ivory and glass
h.: 52 cm
© Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
The shape of these incense burners shows the influence of Victorian silver designs, resembling large urns, or kettles that one might find in a Western interior. Each burner stands on five legs that grow out of the mouth of monsters. There are two dragons for handles, and another sitting on the lid. Incised both front and back with Japanese motifs, they are an example of Japanese interpretation of the confusion of Victorian designs that were introduced to Japan during the Meiji period.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Dr. William H. Pugsley
Bronze inlaid with gold
53.3 x 20.3 x 19.2 cm
1981.Ee.3a-b
© The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
This rectangular, gold-decorated, copper covered box is in the form of two intersecting boxes. The central decoration of a an elderly man facing a young child holding a plum branch may be an allusion to the artist-poet Sugaware-no-Michizane, chancellor to the 9th century Emperor Daigo. The box, intended for use during the incense game, is decorated in several colours of gold.
Komei
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Neil B. Ivory
Copper alloy inlaid with gold
4.7 x 8.8 x 7 cm
1983.Ee.7
© The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
These elongated, baluster-shaped bronze vases were undoubtably made for the export market, or for use in a Western-style interior found in a Japanese house. The busy design, which covers the vases front and back, is more Victorian in style than Japanese.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Anomymous gift
Bronze inlaid with copper alloy
1989.Ee.2-3
© The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts