Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Keiten Takahashi (?) cast iron festival figures

In Asian > Japanese Metalwork > Show & Tell.
Cisum's loves1490 of 6191Pope Scientific Glass Gas MarinelliMy newest crock
17
Love it
0
Like it

AmusedMedleyAmusedMedley loves this.
kivatinitzkivatinitz loves this.
BlueyeconBlueyecon loves this.
Drake47Drake47 loves this.
racer4fourracer4four loves this.
Falcon61Falcon61 loves this.
vcalvcal loves this.
ManikinManikin loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
NewfldNewfld loves this.
CisumCisum loves this.
mikelv85mikelv85 loves this.
mp.kunstmp.kunst loves this.
dav2no1dav2no1 loves this.
yougottahavestuffyougottahavestuff loves this.
Vynil33rpmVynil33rpm loves this.
See 15 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 1 year ago

    kwqd
    (1184 items)

    These cast iron figurines are about 5" high. They are either originals or copies of figurines made by Japanese artist Keiten Takahashi. I am not sure which. The patina looks like a fair example of his work, so if they are copies, someone made an effort to make copies that could pass for his work on one of his not best days. The marks are also not great examples of his signature but the mold work, in general, is very fine.

    I am on the fence on this one. I have a couple of good examples of his work, so am perhaps being overly critical? His work is frequently counterfeited, though. The seller's images are not great, they did not know who the artist might be and sell a smorgasbord of stuff, so they might be real. If they are, I will sell the male dancing figure on the right in the first photo, as that would more than return what I paid for the set. Taking a chance. If they are copies, then I paid too much for the set.

    My other posts on figurines from this set. I would like to collect a complete set...

    https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/307063-dancing-man-cast-iron-figure-by-keiten-t
    https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/308587-keiten-takahashi-musician-okimono-circa

    Born in 1920 in Yamagata City, Miyagi Prefecture, Keiten Takahashi inherited his family's foundry business at the age of 19 in 1938. He first studied metal casting under Nagano Tetsushi in 1950. His work was first accepted into the government-sponsored 7th Nitten exhibition in 1951. In 1963, he won the encouragement prize at the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition) and from 1972 served as a judge for the exhibition. He presented his work to both the Showa Emperor and the Heisei Emperor on the occasions of their visits to Yamagata. In 1979, his works were presented to the Crown Prince of Japan. In 1996, Takahashi Keiten was designated Juyo Mukei Bunkazai or Important Intangible Cultural Asset (commonly known as a Living National Treasure). He died in 2009.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Japanese Metalwork
    See all
    Vintage Japanese Ornament Figurine Statue Okimono dragonfly Bronze interior
    Vintage Japanese Ornament Figurine ...
    $105
    Japanese Antique Bronze Foo Dog Lion Meiji 19th Century Okimono Sculpture
    Japanese Antique Bronze Foo Dog Lio...
    $113
    Antique Japanese FINE Meiji JunJin Silver Bronze + Mixed Metal Box Provenance
    Antique Japanese FINE Meiji JunJin ...
    $98
    antique 19th century Japanese Meiji bronze bird crane figural statue sculpture
    antique 19th century Japanese Meiji...
    $339
    logo
    Vintage Japanese Ornament Figurine Statue Okimono dragonfly Bronze interior
    Vintage Japanese Ornament Figurine ...
    $105
    See all

    Comments

    1. yougottahavestuff yougottahavestuff, 1 year ago
      Wish we all could dance to the Music and Cast frozen in time. Great pieces!!
      Stuff
    2. kwqd kwqd, 1 year ago
      Thanks for the thought, Stuff!

      Thanks for loving my figurines, Cisum, mikelv85, mp.kunst, dav2no1, yougottahavestuff and Vynil33rpm!
    3. Newfld Newfld, 1 year ago
      A very happy bunch, love their joyful dancing poses
    4. kwqd kwqd, 1 year ago
      Thanks, Jenni!
    5. kwqd kwqd, 1 year ago
      Thank you, AmusedMedley, kivatinitz, Blueyecon, Drake47, Karen, Falcon61, vcal, Manikin, fortapache, and Kevin!

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.