Items Similar to Very Large Vintage Japanese Ainu Hokkai Bear Carved Wood Sculpture
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Very Large Vintage Japanese Ainu Hokkai Bear Carved Wood Sculpture
$1,295
£987.17
€1,127.77
CA$1,822.25
A$1,995.93
CHF 1,050.86
MX$23,820.71
NOK 13,392.21
SEK 12,242.50
DKK 8,427.47
About the Item
A rare large and most impressive rustic midcentury Japanese Ainu hand carved Ussuri Brown Bear sculpture.
Indigenous Ainu Peoples, probably Ashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, mid-20th century, anonymous artist.
This exceptional example of traditional Kibori Kuma (木彫り熊) was finely hand carved, chiseled, sculpted and painted from a massive block of solid Japanese hardwood, using old primitive techniques with customized knives and chisels, the artisan would sit on the hut floor, using their feet as a vice to hold the block of wood, carefully manipulating and turning, wood chips flying, skillfully carving to create this beautiful piece of art!
This massive scale realistic rendering showcases the artisan's exemplary skills, workmanship, and artistry, the bears aggressive naturalistic appearance comes to life, evoking power, strength, and natural bounty, lending to its fierce dramatic presence.
Modeled as a wild Ussuri brown bear standing on four legs, head slightly tilted up as if about to expel a ferocious roaring growl, having inset black glass eyes, mouth agape with jagged teeth exposed, the bold muscular body with distinct richly textured chip-carved fur, this sculpture captures the essence of Ainu reverence for nature, this sacred animal, and their deep connection to the land. No apparent signatures, typical of folk art work.
- DIMENSIONS: (approx)
19.5" Wide x 11.375" Tall x 13.25" Deep;
Wight: 18.75lbs
- HISTORY / BACKGROUND:
The Ainu are an aboriginal hunter/gatherer/fisher people who once inhabited many of the islands that bound the southern half of the Sea of Okhotsk north of the main Japanese island of Honshu and Southern Russia.
Their land was contested by the Japanese Empire and the USSR for centuries, with the Meiji era Japan colonisation of Hokkaido taking place in the 19th century.
Colonisation dispossessed the native Ainu people of their lands and property. Widespread discrimination enforced against them, including their forced relocation into mountain areas and the prohibition of the use of the Ainu language decimated their economy with the eventual aim of the extinction of Ainu culture and its replacement by Yamato Japanese culture.
The history of the Ainu bear is intertwined with the Ainu's spiritual beliefs and way of life. Long revered as a sacred animal, the bear is viewed as a symbol of strength, wisdom, and protection, while also holding a central place in Ainu rituals, with ceremonies conducted to honor and communicate with these powerful creatures, and in Ainu mythology, the bear is often depicted as a divine being, capable of transcending the boundaries between the human and spiritual realms. So it's quite prophetic the bear played such a large role in both the region and cultures revival.
The Hokkaido bear carving story all begins when the “Tiger hunting Lord”, The Marquess (one rank below Prince/Duke and one above Earl/Count) of Owari-Tokugawa Family, Yoshichika Tokugawa went off on his tour of Europe in 1921. On his trip, he happened upon peasant art. Rustic handmade items crafted by farmers in the wintertime in the Swiss Alps and German Black Forest. These primitive decorative objects, such as simple bowls, spoons, figurines, letter openers, figural statue, were sold as souvenirs to help the farmers survive through the winter. Ever on the look out for economic opportunities for his family’s former servants, Yoshichika brought back many of these wooden items, among them were two wooden bears.
Knowing the cultural significance of the bear to the Ainu, and seeing there was no work or cultural entertainment to be had by the Ainu, Yoshichika took the items back to Hokkaido as samples so that like the farmers from Switzerland and Germany, they too could sell the wooden bears as souvenirs. At first he suggested to his farmers that they take inspiration from the Swiss items and carv similar things, but after much trial and error, they made a group decision to focus mainly on carving the bears. Masao Ito carved the first bear in 1924.
Yoshichika encouragingly promised to buy the carvings, good or bad, to support their efforts at first. Being a well connected nobleman, he invited artists, including Kaneyuki Tokura from Tokyo to hold seminars on the art of carving. He also started the first Yagumo Art Show and contest held to promote folk art. They struggled at first because at this time Japanese did not even have a word for “folk art”. Farmers had little understanding or appreciation of art. But Yoshichika and his farmers kept working and chose the best bears, had them stamped with a Yakumo brand and began selling to the public. Production increased and by 1932, these Yakumo bears gained national attention. Also, by this time, the Yakumo bears stylistically diverged significantly from the sample bears brought from Switzerland and Germany; paving the way for what we now recognize as the Hokkaido bears.
Hokkaido became a destination for travelers as well as a many military men who would be stationed there. Decades ago, especially before everyone had cameras, the carved bear souvenirs and artworks were a hit for such travelers. They would bring them back home with pride. And it was big business for craftsmen, artists and even carpenters who wanted to earn some money. So popular were these brown bear carvings of Hokkaido, that they were once a staple of Japanese Tea Rooms and entry ways. They reached their heyday in the Showa 40’s (1965-1975). And so they were slowly receding from collective memory, but just now have resurged in popularity as seen in a recent article in GQ magazine.
Highly desirable and sought after, collectors are willing to pay as much as a $25,000 for the rarest of these hand carved Ussuri brown bear. Yet, the history of these carved bears of Hokkaido is, in Japanese terms, not a very long one
--
Whether as the highlight of any serious collection, or simply displayed as a table-top sculpture or floor-standing statue, this remarkable work is sure to be a garner attention as the statement piece of any luxurious lodge or ski chalet, rustic cabin retreat, lakeside country cottage, Adirondack retreat, in the study, gentleman's office, trophy room, or atop the fireplace mantle, this extraordinary work is sure to add a touch of rustic warmth, rich historical depth, cultural interest, and unique dimensionality to any space!
- Dimensions:Height: 11.375 in (28.9 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)
- Style:Black Forest (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Great original vintage condition. Very well made, strong, sturdy, stable. Attractive appearance, nicely aged warm rich dark patina. Wear commensurate with age display. Overall excellent shape and presentation.
- Seller Location:Forney, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5977248064002
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2013
1stDibs seller since 2021
316 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Forney, TX
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View All1960s Japanese Signed Ainu Hokkaido Wooden Bear Carving Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most impressive 1960s Japanese Ainu bear sculpture. Artist signed and dated.
Indigenous Ainu Peoples, probably Ashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.
This ext...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Black Forest Bear
Located in Forney, TX
A large and most impressive late 19th century Swiss Black Forest style hand carved and painted wooden bear sculpture (also known as a Black Forest bear...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass, Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved
Lacquered Bear Statue
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality antique Swiss Black Forest ware, born in the early 20th century, exquisitely hand carved, lacquered wooden bear figure. The exception...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Wall Hook Hanger
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional hand carved German Black Forest wall-mounted hanger. circa 1890
Born in the late 19th / early 20th century, featuring an intricately carved walnut figural bear's head with inset glass eyes, finely detailed gilt brass paws holding a supporting rod, affixed with chain drop hook.
Dimensions: (approx)
10.75" High, 8 1/8" Wide, 5.5" Deep,
A superb example of German folk art, functional and highly decorative, it's ideal for use as an entryway coat...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
José De Creeft Female Totem Carved Wood Sculpture
By Jose Mariano de Creeft
Located in Forney, TX
José De Creeft (1884-1982) Female Totem wood carving sculpture
Provenance / Acquisition:
Property from the important collection of the late Robert Gingold (1944-2017)
Highly reputable auction house Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas had the pleasure of presenting numerous items from the world renowned Art Deco collection of Robert Gingold in their May Design Auction catalog, May 25th, 2017.
The current owner acquired this remarkable example from Shultz Auctioneers, Clearance, New York, from consigner Kenneth Dukoff collection, an important Buffalo, New York antiques...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Whimsical Antique Hand Carved Wooden Horse Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large antique hand carved wooden horse sculpture on stand. Most likely from Southeast Asia, (Indonesian, Burmese, Thai) early 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Large antique 19th century Victorian quality carved Black Forest bear
Located in Ipswich, GB
Large antique 19th century Victorian quality carved Black Forest bear in a seated position, with the original glass eyes, fantastic carved detail throughout, his head lifts to the si...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Grizzly Bear
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved grizzly bear with glass eyes and enamel painted mouth with fangs/teeth showing on a thick base, circa 1900. See our other items for m...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$1,180 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Cent) carved walnut small figure of a walking bear with face pointed up. (similar to BAS039)
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Carved Seated Bear Figure
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique black forest carved seated bear sculpture
An adorable and masterfully hand-carved figure of a seated bear. Switzerland, circa 1900...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Decorative Bear Figure, German Carved Fruitwood, Black Forest, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative bear figure. A German, carved fruitwood natural study in the Black Forest taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Enthusiastically ca...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Animal Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Cent) carved walnut small figure of a walking bear with face pointed down. (similar to BAS039A)
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Antique 19th Century German Rustic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
