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Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century
Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century

Japanese Bronze Meiji style Elephants Pair of Bookends Early 20th Century

$ 210.67

Availability: 73 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
  • Condition: Very Good. The original tusks are missing and have been recreated/replaced.
  • Provenance: Ownership History Available
  • Material: Bronze
  • Secondary Material: Sculpey Premo
  • Subject Matter: Elephants
  • Culture: Japanese

    Description

    An amazing pair of early 20th-century Japanese Bronze Elephant bookends/shelf ornaments. Elephants were a popular subject matter, and considered symbols of power in the Meiji period in Japan, and the upraised trunks signify protection, stability, and resilience
    The maker or date of manufacture is not available, but the known history is that they were acquired in Japan in 1948, probably in Hakodate, and brought to the United States. By 1970, the tusks had all broken off. They have been in storage since 2005. They are consistent with Japanese Late-Meiji period patinated bronze sculptures of elephants circa 1890-1915, but that same style was incorporated after that date.
    There are no evident hallmarks on either statue. I recreated the tusks in the photos out of Sculpey Premo and paint, and they are included as part of the item. The tusks are only resting loosely in the tusk holes, but they could be easily secured with silicone or another adhesive. They could also be displayed sans-tusk, or you could have them recreated in whatever material you desire.
    SEE PHOTOS FOR CONDITION, SIZE, AND WEIGHT.
    .