 |
|
Home |
|
Edo Period Bronze Daruma Te-Aburi Inscribed Fujiwara browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Metalwork: Pre 1800: item # 992539 Please refer to our stock # 6-287 when inquiring.
B & C Antiques P. O. Box 291 Derby, CT 06418 203-929-7312 Guest Book $3,500 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
This unique large bronze personal hibachi or hand-warmer in the form of Daruma, the patron saint of Zen Buddhism, dates to the 18th century, possibly circa 1700 or earlier. The base is inscribed “Fujiwara saku” in katakibibori, the uneven engraving imitating brush strokes. The interior of the base also contains a relief cast family crest, the “hanabishi” (China flower) design of the “Takeda no Shingen mon,” which indicates that this piece may likely even be of 17th century production. The expressive face of Daruma is beautifully rendered in great depth and detail, and the suggestion of his robes creates a fluidity of line which is superb. This heavy cast bronze has a rich wonderful original patina that comes with age. Its function -- in addition to being a sculptural work of art to be admired in its own right -- is as a hibachi, one of the small personal types known as “te-aburi” or handwarmers. These were created to appeal to the personal tastes of their owners. Smaller than a conventional hibachi, te-aburi were made for use by one or two persons at most. The bottom of the warmer was filled with ash on which a few small, glowing pieces of charcoal were placed, thus heating the surrounding metal walls. In Japanese homes where such luxuries could be afforded, custom demanded that whenever a visitor arrived in winter, the first act of hospitality would be to set a small personal warmer next to the guest to provide comfort in an otherwise unheated reception room. Daruma, the monk who brought Zen Buddhism to Japan, has become a familiar and beloved figure with an important place in religion, art and folk culture. In Japanese folklore, he is widely seen as a symbol of good fortune and success through perseverance. The attractiveness of this Daruma figure is linked to the thickness of the metal and the quality of the casting, both of which are simply outstanding. This bronze hibachi was illustrated in “E-Katagami: Later Japanese Bronze Mirrors” by Les Page in ARTS OF ASIA July/August 2004. CONDITION is excellent. DIMENSIONS: 10 ¼” (28 cm) high, 7” (17.8 cm) diameter at top, 10” (25.5 cm) diameter at widest part. |
||||||||||||||
|
