Japanese Wood Burl Animal-Form Object / Mitate Folk Art / 20th Century / Sc169

Details

Description

This is an object suggestive of an animal's form, created by retaining the natural bulges and undulations of a wood … Read more This is an object suggestive of an animal's form, created by retaining the natural bulges and undulations of a wood burl exactly as they occurred. It is thought to have been made in either Japan or China, though its precise origin cannot be confirmed; as it was sourced in Japan, we present it here as a Japanese piece. The material is the burl itself, formed on a tree trunk, and the exact species of wood cannot be identified. It is estimated to date from around the 20th century.

The appeal of objects made from burls like this one lies above all in the pleasure of "mitate" — the art of association. The maker studies the natural bumps and undulating contours that have formed on the wood, discerns within them the suggestion of an animal, a plant, or perhaps a Buddhist figure, and then finishes the piece while intervening as little as possible, preserving the burl's original form to the greatest extent achievable. It is this combination of the maker's imagination and a deep respect for the material's natural shape that gives this genre of object its particular charm.

This piece is an excellent example of that tradition. A rounded chain of burl-formed masses comes together to suggest a four-legged animal in mid-stride, while a long, curling branch reads as a tail, lending the whole an unmistakably beast-like presence. The surface carries a glossy sheen ranging from amber to dark brown, which appears to be the result of some degree of hand-finishing — likely polishing or a lacquer-like treatment. The contrast between the burl's rugged, knotted texture and this polished sheen brings out the character of the material beautifully.

It should be noted that seam-like traces of adhesive are visible at the base of the head and at the base of a hind leg (the relevant areas are marked with red circles in the detail images). These may indicate a past repair to a break, or alternatively, pieces that were added afterward to complete the animal form — it is not possible to say with certainty which is the case. In either respect, we would ask that this be understood as part of the piece's history as an object that has passed through time.

The size is fairly compact, making it well suited to a small space — a living room display shelf, a study, or a corner of the bedroom, where it sits with quiet presence. Its rounded, endearing form has a gentle, almost charming quality that is simply pleasant to look at. Placed near an entryway, it is sure to catch the eye of visitors and could easily become a starting point for conversation, combining real presence with an approachable, likable character.

Items of this kind are genuinely difficult to come across. Even after many years in this trade, this is the first time we have encountered a piece this captivating. We highly recommend it.

Size: W40.6cm x D18.3cm x H18cm
Weight: 0.95kg
Item No.: SC169 See less