Exquisite Classics Animal Sculptures

Charming beckoning cat with left paw raised is a gilded and hand painted porcelain piece from the Kutani region of Japan. Beckoning cats come in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat (known as maneki neko in Japanese) are unclear, contemporary woodblock...

Charming beckoning cat with left paw raised is a gilded and hand painted porcelain piece from the Kutani region of Japan. The beckoning cat comes in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat (known as maneki neko (in Japanese) are unclear, contemporary woodblock...

Japanese Contemporary porcelain beckoning cat, a uniquely and intricately gilded and hand painted porcelain piece from the Kutani region of Japan. The cat raising his left paw is adorned with multiple golden medallions and is covered with raised loops characteristic of the Kutani “mori” style. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat are unclear, contemporary woodblock...

Exquisite Japanese Contemporary porcelain beckoning cat, a uniquely and intricately gilded and hand painted porcelain sculpture from the Kutani region of Japan. The cat raising his left paw is adorned with multiple golden medallions and is covered with raised loops characteristic of the Kutani “mori” style. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat are unclear, contemporary woodblock prints show they were being widely sold as good luck charms by the 1850s. The beckoning cat comes in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. The “mori” style refers to raised loops and other decorative motifs applied by squeezing a tube of slip onto the body of the cat much like applying frosting to a cake. The cat boasts the traditional Kutani colors of bright green, red and yellow presented against an dark blue background, and is generously accentuated with gold. The red kerchief with a knotted amulet in the back and two bells on the side also identify this as a traditional Kutani piece, as do the perked ears turned outward. A stamp indicating it is produced in Kutani region of Japan appears at reverse side of this beckoning cat scultures...

Exquisite Meiji period Japanese Kutani sculpture of a sleeping cat in fine porcelain, inspired by the small wooden sculpture at the entrance of...

Extraordinary Japanese contemporary porcelain bear sculpture, hand-painted in green, blue, orange purple in a dramatic pattern set against a gold background, by Japanese artist from the historic Imari-Arita region of Japan. This stunning bear is from the limited edition series of four bear...