Meiji Bronze Nude Bather by Okazaki Sessei Antique Japanese Statue 17"H 雪聲

Antique Japanese Bronze Figure Statue
Bather Girl
Seated On River Rock
Attributed to Okazaki Sessei 雪聲
Circa: 1854-1921, Meiji Period
H 16.5 in. (42cm), W 12 in. (30cm), D 10 in. (25cm)
Condition: very good!

A silken young girl in repose above a jagged river rock, with her right arm, counters the lightly leaning torso, left arm rested above the adjacent knees, one foot half-submerged in the rippling water, her tilted head and wistful gaze induce a placidity to the curves of her budding femininity. The simplicity and natural beauty endowed in this nude bather caught the charms of a girl innocently demure and not yet conscious of her simple beauty.

Okazaki Sessei is a historically important artist from the Meiji period. He achieved a preeminent artist status through the monumental bronze of Saigo Takamori at Ueno Park, and the Kusanoki Masashige on Horse monument at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. His works are in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. Note that there is a couple of small drilled holes near the base; presumably for fastening the 18 lbs bronze for display purpose-- which ultimately resulted in our rare find of an extraordinary Okazaki Sessei. See his rare bronze Bather Girl at Bonhams